Air Astra adds third ATR 72-600 to expand operations

Country’s youngest private airline, Air Astra, has added a third aircraft to its fleet to expand its operations and improve domestic connectivity.

The airline took delivery of its third brand-new ATR 72-600 aircraft on Wednesday as it arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, according to a press release.

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With the addition, Air Astra’s fleet has now grown to six aircraft, doubling its fleet size in just over three months and further strengthening its operational capacity and domestic connectivity.

“This growth reflects the dedication of our team and the confidence of our passengers and partners,” said Air Astra CEO Imran Asif.

“As we continue to expand our fleet and network, our focus remains on providing safe, reliable, comfortable and efficient air travel across Bangladesh.”

The ATR 72-600 is the third aircraft the airline has added under an eight-year operating lease from ATR, a joint venture between European aeronautics companies Airbus and Leonardo.

The airline took delivery of its first aircraft in May this year and the second in August, Imran said.

Air Astra, one of four airlines operating in Bangladesh, started operations in November 2022 to cater to growing demand for air travel in the country.

Local and international airlines transport more than 1 crore travellers, especially Bangladeshi migrant workers and non-resident Bangladeshis, on international routes.

The airline said it is in the process of adding narrowbody aircraft to its fleet, with international operations targeted to commence in the first quarter of 2027, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and operational readiness.

The carrier operates 20 daily flights from Dhaka to Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Saidpur and Sylhet.

Of these, nine flights operate daily on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route and three each on the Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Saidpur routes. The airline also operates four daily flights to Sylhet.

Air Astra plans to increase flights on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route from the middle of this month, according to AFM Rubayat-Ul Jannat, assistant general manager (brand marketing) of the airline.