Bangladesh's private GMG Airlines on Wednesday launched its thrice-weekly flights between Kolkata and the southeastern port city of Chittagong, to become the first private operator to go international, airline officials said.
The national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines also connects capital Dhaka and Chittagong with Kolkata.
The maiden flight with 37 passengers, including media people, was launched from Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
"It is a historic moment in the country's aviation history," Bangladesh's State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin said.
He said it would also help boost bilateral ties with India.
"This would help boost tourism between the two countries," R R Das, minister in the Indian High Commission, said.
