GMG eyes flights around South Asia

GMG eyes flights around South Asia

DHAKA: Bangladesh's GMG Airlines hopes to fly to other countries in South Asia if the government gives it the green light to be the first private carrier with an overseas service, a company spokesman said on Sunday.

The airline, founded in 1998, will submit its application this week and is able to start international service immediately, although the go-ahead will likely take around six months, spokesman Vijay Alreja told AFP.

"We are ready and have all the requirements spelled out" for a license, he said.

Alreja said GMG would prefer to begin its international service with flights to nearby Calcutta and Kathmandu going on to New Delhi and Colombo to ensure passenger turnout.

Three other airlines -- Air Bangladesh, Air Parbat and Bismillah Airlines -- have also expressed interest in flying beyond domestic routes but are considered further away in meeting license requirements.

State-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the country's only carrier to fly overseas with 26 international routes. -- AFP