CAAB lifts seating restrictions: Air travel becomes easier

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has issued updated guidelines for air operators, airports, and passengers, in its efforts to increase passengers on domestic routes from Sunday.

A decision was taken by CAAB on Thursday lifting the directive previously given to operators to keep 25% seats in any flight vacant for maintaining social distancing.

This decision will become effective from Sunday.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules, now flight operators can carry passengers in all seats except the last two rows, on condition that airlines provide face shields to passengers.

CAAB Chairman, Air Vice Marshall M Mafidur Rahman, confirmed the matter to Dhaka tribune on Saturday.

He said, to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 infection, the airlines must provide a face shield to every passenger and the decision complies with the IATA rules.

Private airlines US-Bangla General Manager (public relations), Kamrul Islam, said if airlines could take 100% passengers like before, the shortfall between  revenue and operational costs will decrease. 

Also read - Biman suspends international flights till Sept 15

Fares on routes where airlines are now charging a little more will go down and passengers will be able to travel more easily and at lower cost.

Echoing the statement, Mesbah-ul Islam, head of marketing and sales for Novoair, said the cost of air travel will go down as seating restrictions are withdrawn. 

US-Bangla Airlines is now operating international flights to Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, and Doha.

Whereas, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has extended the suspension of all international flights – except to Dubai, London, and Kuala Lumpur – till Tuesday.

Since March 21, the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh, or CAAB,  shut down all domestic and international flights, in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

On June 1, CAAB permitted operation of all domestic flights maintaining social distancing and following health guidelines, and international flights resumed on June 16.