Klkata Bangoladesh Flights: Bangladesh Due to Unrest and Visa Restrictions

Kolkata Bangladesh Flights: Warring in Bangladesh, attacks against the minorities, and travel prohibitions because of Indian Visa regime have brought the airlines offering air services between Kolkata, and Bangladesh to a near near-scarcity. Biman Bangladesh, the national air flag carrier, has gone as low as reducing to operate only one flight day today from Kolkata to Dhaka, which was two on day. US-Bangla Airlines has reduced operations towards Dhaka and abandoned their Chittagong Route.

The situation has not affected Indian carrier IndiGo, which still flies twice daily. However, the airline is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.

The passenger numbers are declining

The decrease in flights is associated with a steep fall in the number of passengers. Flights between Kolkata and Dhaka/Chittagong decreased from 125 in September to 97 in November. Passenger departures went down from 15,479 in September to 12,747 in November. The same trend was followed by the number of arrivals from Bangladesh, which fell from 12,540 to 10,121 between September and November.

Economic Impact on Kolkata

The reduction in flights and passenger numbers has caused a considerable economic impact on Kolkata, especially on businesses that rely considerably on Bangladeshi tourists and travelers. Hotel occupancy in the Marquis Street-Sudder Street area has been reduced to only 20%, and sales in shops and restaurants in New Market have fallen by 65%-70%.

The tourism and business sectors, especially the hotels, restaurants, and health care sectors, have suffered badly in the crisis. "For most Bangladeshis, India is a next-door destination for medical treatment and religious tourism. The present crisis is creating difficulties for them to visit India, and in the process, businesses in Kolkata are losing," said Anjani Dhanuka, Chairman of the Travel Agents' Association of India (East).