The once-bustling air, bus and rail routes between Bangladesh and India have experienced a noticeable decline in passenger traffic in the wake of the recent political shift in Dhaka following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
This downturn in travel has raised concerns among stakeholders about the impact of economic exchanges between Dhaka and Delhi.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, India swiftly suspended visa services for Bangladesh.
Although visa services have been partially restored, the services are being operated on a limited basis.
An Indian visa centre official in Dhaka revealed that the Indian government now issues visas only for medical and student purposes.
Many visa applications have been denied, leading to fewer travel and work-related passengers. This drop is straining airlines on these routes, causing financial difficulties as they struggle with operating costs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the Bangladesh Railway, and the Ports Authority highlight a significant reduction in passengers who use these routes.
Air travel between Dhaka and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai has seen a drop of approximately 60% to 70%, sources said.
Airlines are experiencing a sharp decline in bookings and an increase in cancellations.
An Airport Aviation Security (AVSEC) official notes that security measures at international airports in Bangladesh have been significantly strengthened. This includes rigorous checks at various points: boarding passes collection, immigration, and even at the boarding gate.
The intensified checks, including the verification of No Objection Letters (NOCs) and thorough scrutiny for business and financial sector passengers, have led many to avoid flights to India. This has caused a significant drop in passenger numbers, according to the official.
Airlines face setback
According to airport sources, Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla, and NovoAir are currently operating flights to various destinations in India.
On the Indian side, Vistara, Air India, and IndiGo provide services connecting Bangladesh with India. These airlines have regular flights on routes that include Dhaka, Chittagong, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
However, in response to a recent sharp decline in passenger numbers, all these airlines have begun scaling back their flight schedules on these routes.
This reduction comes as airlines grapple with reduced demand consequent upon visa issues and political instability.
Air India, which had planned to launch direct flights between Dhaka and Kolkata as well as Chennai starting this September, had also announced a 25 % fare discount compared to other carriers.
Despite these initiatives, Air India has decided to temporarily suspend its plans to expand operations from Dhaka due to the ongoing passenger shortages linked to the visa situation.
Due to a sharp decline in passenger numbers, NovoAir will suspend flights on the Dhaka-Kolkata route from September 16.
The airline has reduced its weekly flights from seven to three, with ATR 72-500 aircraft operating at less than full capacity. NovoAir’s sales and marketing department noted that the route will be temporarily closed until passenger demand increases.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has also cut back flights. The national carrier has reduced its Dhaka-Kolkata flights from 14 to 7, and scaled down services on the Dhaka-Delhi and Dhaka-Chennai routes.
Biman spokesperson Bosra Islam stated that passenger occupancy on these routes is 48%.
Currently, there is only one weekly flight each on the Dhaka-Delhi and Dhaka-Chennai routes, down from three.
Earlier, there were three weekly flights on the Dhaka-Delhi route but currently one is running. Similarly, the Dhaka-Chennai route is currently operated with one instead of three weekly flights.
Biman's Chennai and Delhi office officials told Dhaka Tribune that flights from Dhaka to India are meeting half of the passengers. Compared to that, return flights from India are getting more passengers.
US-Bangla Airlines is similarly affected, having reduced its weekly Kolkata flights from 21 to 6, with five of 11 weekly flights on the Dhaka-Chennai route still operating.
Owing to the passenger crisis, only six flights of the airline are currently operating, and just five of the 11 weekly flights on the Dhaka-Chennai route remain in service.
Kamrul Islam, US-Bangla Airlines General Manager (Public Relations), noted that passenger numbers on the Bangladesh-India routes have been in decline since July.
Despite fares being reduced, passenger numbers remain insufficient and do not cover operating costs, putting financial strain on the airline, said the official.