Air Astra expands fleet

Air Astra, a privately owned Bangladeshi airline based in Dhaka, has added a new ATR72-600 aircraft to its fleet as part of its domestic expansion plans.

The first of three new aircraft arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka yesterday from Toulouse, France, according to a press release.

The airline said two more aircraft will arrive in the country by July this year, strengthening its operational capacity and supporting future route expansion.

With the latest addition, the domestic carrier’s fleet now stands at five ATR72-600 aircraft.

Powered by the latest Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engines, among the most efficient and reliable turboprop engines available, the aircraft features 72 Geven Neo Prestige seats, offering enhanced passenger comfort on Bangladesh’s domestic routes.

The ATR72-600 is a widely used regional turboprop aircraft recognised globally for its operational efficiency on short-haul routes.

At the aircraft’s arrival ceremony, Frédéric Inza, chargé d’affaires of the French Embassy in Bangladesh, praised the airline’s expansion through the addition of the French-built aircraft.

Imran Asif, chief executive officer of Air Astra, thanked the airline’s employees and government regulators for their continued support in driving the carrier’s growth.

The airline plans to further expand its ATR72-600 fleet and launch international operations, targeting markets with strong demand and growth potential.

Established in 2021, Air Astra commenced commercial operations in November 2022. At present, it connects Dhaka with Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Saidpur.