Direct flight operations to the USA and London from Sylhet Osmani International Airport will start from April, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali today.

“New direct flights to the USA and London will start from April without any transit or interval at Dhaka, from Sylhet airport,” he said. Such flight operation will also help visitors to make trips to the country’s tourist spots.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion following a foundation stone lying programme at Bithangal shrine at Baniachong upazila under the district.

The State Minister said, “The Prime Minister has allocated Taka 30 crore to upgrade the airport for operating direct flights, as special bus service on Dhaka-Sylhet route will be introduced for foreign visitors.”

Standard accommodation and food service would start at Baniachong for foreign visitors, he said.

Shrine chief Sukumar Mohonto presided over the programme while Abdul Majid Khan, MP, Secretary of the ministry M Mahidul Huq, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Ram Chandra Das, Baniachong upazila Chairman Abul Kashem Chowdhury and General Secretary of the Shire Shankar Pal also spoke, among others.

Later, the State Minister visited different tourist spots including Sagardhighi in the upazila.