Special flights have brought back 1,147 Bangladeshi nationals, stranded in the United States, India, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates due to the travel restrictions enforced because of the coronavirus pandemic, in the last 24 hours.
Of the returnees, 159 were stuck in Qatar and brought back on a chartered flight arranged by US-Bangla Airlines, which departed Doha and arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka at 7:30am on Thursday, confirmed an airport security official.
Kamrul Islam, general manager (public relations) of US-Bangla Airlines said: “The Bangladeshis were stranded in Qatar for over three months because of the restrictions over the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Another special flight, arranged by Emirates, brought back 212 Bangladeshis from the US, landing at the HSIA at 12:30am Thursday.
A flight arranged by Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the UAE, carried another 338 passengers from the US at 9pm on Wednesday, while another flight arranged by SalamAir brought back 173 Bangladeshi nationals from Muscat, Oman and landed at Dhaka airport around 6:40pm on the same day.
Earlier on Wednesday, 153 Bangladeshi nationals returned home from Qatar, landing in Dhaka at 4:35am, while 112 Bangladeshi nationals came home from Chennai, India, landing at the HSIA at 3:25pm. Both of these special flights were arranged by US-Bangla Airlines.
The flights were operated with support from the Bangladesh Air Force Welfare Trust and the respective governments.
All the arriving passengers brought valid medical certificates to prove they had tested negative for Covid-19, and were allowed to go home with the condition of remaining in self-quarantine, said an airport health official.
Novoair announces 10% discount on ticket fares
Novoair’s Frequent Flyer program Smiles has entered its 8th year. Novoair is the first airline of Bangladesh to launch a Frequent Flyer program to provide special services to frequently travelling passengers.
On the occasion, Novoair has announced 10% discount on its ticket fares. The offer allows Smiles members to purchase tickets through Novoair sales counter, website and mobile app by using the promo code “SMILES7ANN”. Smiles member can purchase tickets till July 31 through this offer.
Any passenger can enjoy this offer by becoming a Smiles member from Novoair sales counter or website, by filling up a required form.
Novoair currently operates three daily flights from Dhaka to Chittagong, three flights to Jessore, four flights to Saidpur, and a solitary flight to Sylhet, in compliance with health guidelines issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and the World Health Organization.
