Bangladesh-India passenger travel declines after Hasina's appointment

Bangladesh has seen a decline of around 60 per cent to 70 per cent in the number of air passengers between Dhaka and major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government last month.
This information has been received from media reports.
This drop in passenger numbers has raised concerns among stakeholders about the impact on economic exchange between Dhaka and New Delhi, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

It is worth noting that after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, India stopped visa services for some time. Although visa services have been restored to a large extent, they are being provided on a restricted basis.
An official at the Indian Immigration Department in Dhaka said the Indian government now grants visas only on medical and student grounds. Many visa applications have been rejected, resulting in a drop in the number of travel and business-related passengers. This decline is putting pressure on airlines operating on some routes, leading to financial problems.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Bangladesh Railway and Port Authority have all reported a significant decline in passengers using these routes.
According to reports, air travel between Dhaka and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai has declined by 60 per cent to 70 per cent. Airlines have seen a sharp drop in reservations and a rise in cancellations.
An official of the Airport Aviation Security (AVSEC) observed that security measures at Bangladesh's international airports have been significantly strengthened. This includes checking at multiple locations.
Increased security measures like verification of No Objection Certificates (NOC) and extensive monitoring of corporate and financial sector passengers have made many people avoid flying to India. This has resulted in a drop in passenger numbers, according to the official.
According to Bangladesh airport sources, Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangladesh and Novoair are now flying to several Indian destinations. Vistara, Air India and IndiGo operate flights between Bangladesh and India. These airlines offer regular flights between Dhaka, Chittagong, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.
However, in response to the recent drop in passenger numbers, all of these airlines have begun reducing their flight schedules on these routes. This decline comes as airlines are facing lower demand as a result of visa difficulties and political turmoil.
US-Bangla Airlines General Manager (Public Relations) Kamrul Islam said the number of passengers on Bangladesh-India routes has been declining since July.
According to sources, passenger numbers are insufficient to cover operating costs, putting the airline under financial pressure.
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