FE Report

The Mumbai-based 'Kingfisher Airlines' will operate daily flights on Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka route from today (Friday) with a promise to provide luxury onboard services, said a company statement.

The inaugural flight of the Indian passenger carrier is expected to arrive at Zia International Airport from Kolkata in the afternoon. Dignitaries including the Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Air Marshal Jamaluddin Ahmed, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Commodore Sakeb Iqbal Khan Majlish and Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty are expected to be present at the airport to welcome the inaugural flight.

Vice President-Global Sales of Kingfisher Airline S. Ramachandran is likely to arrive from India aboard the aircraft to join the inaugural ceremony.

After it was launched, Dhaka would be the third overseas destination after London and Colombo for the Indian carrier, which already has won the right to fly to 13 international destinations. Kingfisher will also be the third Indian airline to fly to Bangladesh besides Air India and Jet Airways.

Earlier, as part of the launch, Kingfisher Airlines had announced promotional fares for Bangladeshi travelers. Dhaka-Kolkata one way will be US$50 along with fuel surcharge of US$25 and applicable government taxes while return fare US$80 with fuel surcharge of US$50 and applicable government taxes.

Kingfisher Airlines is a part of the UB Group that is one of India's largest conglomerates with diverse business interests and a global presence.