In the last few days two new ATR72 operators have just become known in Bangladesh. The new cargo airline NXT Air and the regional airline Air Astra rely on the European turboprop.

For a long time, the turboprop aircraft of the DHC-8 family from Bombardier resp. DeHavilland Canada domestic traffic. The airlines Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, Regent Airways, Royal Bengal Airline, United Airways and US-Bangla Airlines use DHC-8 aircraft. All that remains is the national airline Biman, which currently operates five Q400s.

The first ATR operator in Bangladesh was the defunct United Airways. As a replacement for the DHC-8-100, it used three ATR2010-2016s from 72 until it was discontinued in 200. However, the French-Italian aircraft only really took off at NovoAir. This company replaces the Embraer 145 fleet with seven ATR72-500.

After the tragic accident of a DHC-8-400 operated by US Bangla Airlines on March 12, 2018, this airline also changed its fleet. US-Bangla also uses seven pieces, but from the more modern 600 version.

In addition to NovoAir and US-Bangla, Hello Airlines also operates a smaller ATR42 as a cargo aircraft. And it is precisely Hello Airlines that has now founded a new subsidiary, NXT Air, which will soon be using the first ATR72-200 freighter. The leasing company ACIA Aero announced this at the end of August 2021.

With the Air Astra a new regional airline is at the start. From January 2022, the start-up will use four ATR72-600s on domestic flights, writes The Daily Star. Behind the Air Astra is Imran Asif, an expert on the local flight market. Imran Asif was already managing director at Regent Airways and US-Bangla, where the ATR72-600 was floated under his leadership. He also worked as CEO at Epic Air, but this start-up did not make it into the air. With the Air Astra, he is now daring a new attempt.