Kingfisher to start short haul Dhaka-Kolkata flights

Even as it looks to roll back its international operations in the wake of the economic crisis presently plaguing the industry, Kingfisher Airlines is looking to fly a relatively short haul Dhaka-Kolkata international flight by the end of 2008.

Reports in the media said Kingfisher airlines is evaluating possibilities for starting operations from Bangladesh, and even though it has not set a date yet, it is optimistic of starting the service by the end of the year. Kingfisher would be the sixth airline flying the Dhaka-Kolkata route, joining the likes of Bangladesh Biman, GMG Airlines, United Airways, Air India Express and Jet Airways.

Quoting unnamed sources in the travel industry, reports talked about the Dhaka – Kolkata route being patronised largely by leisure travellers and those seeking medical treatment in India, with a total traffic of around 200 passengers a day. Reports also suggested the Kingfisher airlines would like to add the Chittagong – Kolkata route to its flight plans soon, and is awaiting approval from the aviation authorities of Bangladesh and India.

Kingsifher Airlines has a general sales agent in Dhaka, and connects around 64 cities with over 418 flight operations everyday. 

However, other reports, citing analysts, said that though passengers would benefit from the intense competition between six airlines flying the route, passengers to India also have the option of travelling by train or bus, and therefore the addition of capacity on the sector could most likely impact profitability for the airlines.