DHAKA: United Airways launched its flight to London yesterday, the first by a private airline in Bangladesh.

“We started our operation on July 10, 2007. We have maintained schedules in 98 percent cases. We are proud of launching our direct flight to London," said United Airways' Chairman and Managing Director Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury at the inaugural function.

The non-resident Bangladeshi venture, United Airways (BD) Ltd, organised the launch of its flights separately at Dhaka and Sylhet airports.

Former president HM Ershad was present at the first press briefing at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, while Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader and Commerce Minister Faruk Khan joined the second briefing at Zia International Airport in Dhaka.

“The operation is undoubtedly an achievement for Bangladesh aviation industry, as United Airways is the first private carrier to fly on the European route," said the airline chief.

The airline has offered promotional fares at Tk 33,683 (including all taxes) for one-way travel.

However, the fare for Dhaka-London-Dhaka flight has been fixed at $695 or Tk 47,868 and travellers will have to pay an additional amount of around Tk 18,000 as taxes, the carrier said.

The normal one-way fare will be $425 or Tk 29,271 ($1=Tk 68.87) plus Tk 7,000 as taxes, while a Dhaka-London-Dhaka ticket will cost $810 or Tk 55,788.75 excluding Tk 18,000 as taxes.

The carrier said it will run two flights a week on Tuesday and Saturday. The flight starting from Sylhet will take off from Zia International Airport at 12 noon.

GM Quader said: "Biman Bangladesh Airlines cannot carry all the passengers alone. If someone comes to share the pressure, it will be a great help for the national flag carrier as well as the country."

Faruk Khan lauded United's efforts and said the expatriates had proved again their 'love for the country'.

"They earn for themselves but now by investing in various sectors they let Bangladesh go forward at a double pace."

The airline owns one 155-seated MD 83 aircraft and two 37-seated Dash-8-100 plane. Another MD 83 will join the fleet soon, said United in a statement.

It also plans to procure a Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft by mid-2010.

The airline is scheduled to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu and Bangkok by December and will start Dhaka-Jeddah flight by the first quarter next year, the statement added.