The year 2022 had been a good year for Bangladesh’s two local airlines thanks to increased flow of travellers after the authorities lifted pandemic-related restrictions.

The operators said the rise in passengers helped them narrow down severe losses they had suffered because of the halt in carrying passengers.

And if the trend continues in 2023, they would be able to do better.

The reaction of the local airlines is similar to the views of International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In early December of 2022, it said to have expected a return to profitability for the global airline industry in 2023 as airlines continued to cut losses stemming from the effects of the pandemic to their business in 2022.

And in spite of the growing economic uncertainties with a slowdown in global gross domestic product (GDP) growth, airlines are expected to post a small net profit of $4.7 billion in 2023, it said.

It will be generated on the back of a lower oil price, inflation and continued prevalence of pent-up demand which should help keep costs in check as the strong growth trend continued, it said.

In spite of the growing economic uncertainties with a slowdown in global gross domestic product growth, airlines are expected to post a small net profit of $4.7 billion in 2023, said International Air Transport Association

Locally, state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines had carried around 16.35 lakh passengers in the…