EgyptAir has resurrected plans to open a new service connecting the capital cities of Egypt and Bangladesh as part of efforts to boost tourism between the two countries.
The carrier signed a memorandum of understanding with ALO Dhaka Aviation, EgyptAir's general sales agent in Bangladesh, in August 2021 and originally intended to begin flights three months later. However, the 5,821-km (3,143-nm) route failed to materialize.
EgyptAir has now revived plans to begin flights between Cairo (CAI) and Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International (DAC), starting on May 14. The route will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays aboard Boeing 787-9 aircraft, schedules filed with OAG show.
EgyptAir will become the sole operator of nonstop flights between Egypt and Bangladesh once the route launches.
Sabre Market Intelligence figures reveal O&D traffic between the two countries totaled 17,320 two-way passengers in 2019, with Cairo-Dhaka accounting for 75% of the traffic on a city pair basis. In the absence of direct service, about 35% of passengers flew one-stop to CAI via Dubai (DXB). Sharjah (SHJ) was the second-largest one-stop market in 2019, followed by Jeddah (JED).
EgyptAir will be hoping the nonstop service will further stimulate leisure and VFR demand, as well as connecting traffic through Cairo.
In February, the carrier took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo on lease from AerCap, making the airline the first African operator of the aircraft. The aircraft has a two-class configuration with 16 business class seats and 166 in economy.
Overall, EgyptAir has a fleet of 12 A220s, eight A320neos, two A320ceos, four A330-200s, four A330-300s and the one A321neo, alongside 28 737-800s, one 777-200ER, six 777-300ERs and six 787-9s.
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