Dhaka, August 24, 2026: After years of waiting, the possibility of launching direct flights between Dhaka and New York has once again gained momentum.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh could potentially launch direct flights to New York as early as January 2027, provided the country achieves the required rating in an upcoming audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The minister made the remarks on Sunday, August 23, while speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on his first working day after taking charge of the ministry.
According to the minister, ensuring that Bangladesh meets international aviation safety standards is critical to establishing the New York route.
If Bangladesh achieves the required grade in the ICAO audit, the path could open for direct flights to New York.
However, the January 2027 launch is not yet confirmed. Earlier in June, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) indicated that launching New York flights before 2028 could be difficult because Bangladesh still needs to complete several international safety assessments and work toward obtaining a Category 1 safety rating from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
That means the latest announcement is encouraging, but several important regulatory and safety requirements still have to be completed.
As part of preparations for long-haul international routes such as New York, the government is also planning to expand the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
The minister said plans are underway to lease at least 10 aircraft to address the airline’s current fleet shortage. The government reportedly hopes to finalize agreements by December this year, with additional aircraft expected to be added to the fleet afterward.
New York has also been identified as an important destination in Biman’s longer-term fleet expansion strategy.
A direct Dhaka–New York service would be a major development for the large Bangladeshi-American community in New York and across the United States.
Currently, passengers traveling between Dhaka and New York generally have to transit through a third country. There is no nonstop service between Dhaka and New York’s JFK Airport, meaning travelers must typically make at least one connection.
A nonstop service could significantly reduce travel time and eliminate the inconvenience of international transit. It could also strengthen business, investment, education, tourism and family connections between Bangladesh and the United States.
Although the government has raised the possibility of a January 2027 launch, travelers should not yet consider the route officially confirmed.
The actual launch will depend on several factors, including:
Successful completion of the ICAO audit
Bangladesh’s aviation safety compliance
Meeting U.S. FAA requirements
Aircraft availability
Necessary operational and regulatory approvals
For millions of Bangladeshis in the United States, however, the latest announcement represents a significant and hopeful development.
After years of anticipation, the dream of flying nonstop from Dhaka to New York may finally be getting closer to reality.
