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Direct flights between Australia and Bangladesh are a step closer following the signing of an inaugural air services Memorandum of Understanding.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that the new arrangements would open the door for Australian and Bangladeshi airlines to serve both countries with direct flights.
Up until now, a trip between Australia and Bangladesh had to be made via a third country, mainly Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand.
Subject to compliance with applicable safety regulations, airlines of each country will be immediately able to operate up to five flights each way each week between airports in both Bangladesh and Australia.
“The opening up of the Australia-Bangladesh market underscores the Australian Government's determination to liberalise the international aviation market,” Mr Albanese said.
“With a population of more than 150 million people, Bangladeshis a potentially important emerging market and the new arrangements will provide for the development of bilateral air services.”
The new arrangements are also expected to provide a boost for the cargo market between Australia and Bangladesh, with capacity for up to seven all-cargo services using any aircraft type to be operated each week.
“Cargo can be taken on and set down at any point, subject only to each country's bilateral aviation arrangements with other countries,” Mr Albanese said.
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