Flight operations on Rajshahi-Dhaka route via Syedpur will resume tomorrow after around four and half years suspension of the operation.
To this end, necessary preparations, including repairing and renovation of the two airports–Rajshahi and Syedpur–have been completed by the authorities concerned.
Rajshahi Shah Mukhdum Airport with 6,000 feet runway opened on January 10, 1984 and the flight operation continued till February 19, 2007 and since the following day the port remained closed on an excuse that it was incurring loss.
Since then no initiative has been taken to resume the airport despite of huge demand.
However, a private company–Galaxy Flying Academy–has been using the airport as a pilot training centre since last year.
United Airways, a private airline, will start operation of its flights on the route to bring the people in Rajshahi and its adjoining areas and Rangpur region under air connectivity and facilitate trade and business, said the officials concerned.In the preliminary stage, the airliner will operate a 37- seated flight ones in a week (Thursday) but the number will increase if required response were received from the passengers,said Badruddoza Sagar, manager (PR and communication) of the airways.
The government agreed to resume operations of the airport considering local demands, including the users of Sonamasjid Land port in Chapainawabganj.
On the other hand, the Syedpur, the lone airport of the newly established Rangpur division, with 6,800 feet runway opened on July 5, 1979 and the flight operation continued till 2006.
But it was also declared closed on February 19, 2007 on an excuse of the same reason.
Meanwhile, the news of resumption of the flight operation on the route has created a high hope among the businessmen and other dignitaries in the region.