New Bangladeshi private airline Air Astra to fly in January 2022

Dhaka: A new Bangladeshi airline named Air Astra is ready to take to the skies in January 2022. It will be the third private airline of the country in operation and the eleventh to enter the industry in the past 25 years.

Air Astra is being funded by a non-resident Bangladeshi from Japan while it plans to operate domestic flights on all seven routes, said the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Imran Asif.

"We are eyeing to receive at least four aircraft by January 2022. If we can do so, we will be able to operate flights on all domestic routes," he said.

The CEO further mentioned that astra means star in Greek and the predominant warm yellow colour on the aircraft livery reflects happiness and optimism that the airline wishes to bring forth in air travelling while the grey color reinforces the airline's attention to class and quality.

Air Astra initially plans to operate flights with ATR 72-600 aircraft.

As per the rules, the airlines will get permission to operate flights on international routes after operating flights on domestic routes for at least a year.