Dhaka: Air passenger count between Dhaka and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai has seen a drop of approximately 60 per cent to 70 per cent since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government last month, according to media reports.
This drop in traveller volume has sparked anxiety among stakeholders about the impact on economic exchanges between Dhaka and New Delhi, the Dhaka Tribune said.
Following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, India briefly discontinued visa services.
Although visa services have been largely restored, they are being provided on a restricted basis.
An officer from the Indian immigration department in Dhaka said that the Indian government now only provides visas for medical and student grounds.
Many visa applications have been refused, resulting in fewer travel and business-related travellers. This decline is putting pressure on airlines operating on certain routes, generating financial issues as they struggle to cover operational costs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the Bangladesh Railway, and the Ports Authority all report a considerable decrease in passengers using these routes.
Air travel between Dhaka and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai has dropped by 60 per cent to 70 per cent, according to reports.
Airlines are seeing a steep drop in reservations and an increase in cancellations.
An official from Airport Aviation Security (AVSEC) observed that security measures at Bangladesh’s international airports have been greatly reinforced. This involves rigorous checks at numerous locations, like boarding card collecting, immigration, and even the boarding gate.
Many people have avoided flights to India due to increased security measures, such as the verification of No Objection Letters (NOCs) and extensive surveillance of corporate and financial sector travellers. This has resulted in a dramatic decrease in passenger numbers, according to the official.
According to Bangladesh airport sources, Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla, and NovoAir are now flying to several Indian destinations.
Vistara, Air India, and IndiGo operate flights between Bangladesh and India. These airlines provide regular flights between Dhaka, Chittagong, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
However, in reaction to a recent dramatic drop in passenger numbers, all of these airlines have begun reducing their flight schedules on these routes.
This drop comes as airlines face lower demand as a result of visa difficulties and political turmoil.
Kamrul Islam, US-Bangla Airlines General Manager (Public Relations), stated that passenger numbers on the Bangladesh-India routes have been declining since July.
Passenger numbers remain insufficient to meet operational costs, placing the airline under financial duress, according to the source.
