Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Monday resumed its direct Dhaka-Narita service to Japan after more than a year of suspension. The government hopes the restored route will strengthen trade, investment and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Japan.

The inaugural flight was flagged off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, who said the route would not be suspended again.

"We hope the route will be profitable this time. The inaugural flight, return flight and subsequent services have already been booked, which has generated strong enthusiasm among Bangladeshis living in Japan," she said at the inauguration ceremony.

The minister said the resumption of the direct service was the result of a collective effort to implement Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's directive.

She said the restored route would further deepen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan and open new avenues for economic cooperation and broader collaboration.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the decision to restart the route was taken considering the needs of around 45,000 Bangladeshi students, workers and other migrants living in Japan.

He said the government also plans to expand Biman's fleet by adding Airbus aircraft alongside Boeing jets to meet future demand and ensure the route remains operational.

Recalling the history of the service, Millat said former President Ziaur Rahman had launched the Dhaka-Narita route in 1980 despite a shortage of aircraft, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh-Japan relations.

The minister and state minister later exchanged greetings with passengers travelling on the inaugural flight before formally inaugurating the service.

The direct Dhaka-Narita route was suspended on July 1, 2025, during the interim government's tenure. Nearly a year later, the service resumed with Biman flight BG376 departing for Japan at 2:25 am on July 27.

__