Air Astra receives approval to start commercial operations

Dhaka: Air Astra received the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh on November 3 through a ceremony held at the Flight Standard and Regulations offices of the authority in the capital.

The AOC (no 27) is the final approval from the regulatory authority allowing the airline to begin commercial flight operations, said the airline in a press release.

The AOC was handed over by Air Commodore Shah Kawsar Ahmed Choudhury, member (Flight Standards and Regulations), CAAB to Imran Asif, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager, Air Astra.

At the ceremony, Air Commodore Shah Kawsar Ahmed Choudhury welcomed Air Astra to the industry to contribute to the GDP of the country through safe and efficient flight operations across the country.

He also thanked Air Astra for its consistent compliance with the regulations of CAAB leading to its certification within one year since its application, and the first passenger airline AOC issued since 2014.

The CEO of Air Astra thanked the authority for its continued support and guidance helping the airline to comply with all regulations and achieve the AOC.

He reassured the authority that the airline shall always endeavour to act absolutely professionally through its team of industry-leading professionals and always adhere to all regulations - especially ones pertinent to safety.

Air Astra has already taken delivery of two ATR 72-600 aircraft at Dhaka and further two aircraft are scheduled to be delivered within 2022.

Following the achievement of the AOC, the airline shall soon make official flight schedule announcements for commercial operations.