Newest private carrier of the country, Air Astra, launched its first commercial flight in the country on Thursday.

The first Air Astra flight 2A 441 took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:00 am for Cox’s Bazar.

Earlier on November 15, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali inaugurated Air Astra, cutting a ribbon at the ramp area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s domestic terminal.

Air Astra received the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) as the first passenger airline in more than 8 years to launch commercial flight operations across the domestic network of the country on November 3.  

Air Astra started operation with two ATR72-600 aircraft. The ATR72-600 is the most modern turboprop in the world with a capacity to carry 70 passengers in a comfortable, quiet cabin.

The airways will add two more aircraft within this year and is also planning to increase its fleet to 10 aircraft by 2023.