On Thursday Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed Akij Air as the Bangladesh national team’s travel partner for the upcoming San Marino tour. The agreement covers ticket arrangements for a 34-member Bangladesh contingent.
Bangladesh’s men’s, women’s and age-group teams travel abroad regularly every year. The federation spends more than Tk1 crore annually on air tickets. BFF usually collects quotations from travel agencies before confirming bookings. Akij Air will now manage the travel arrangements for the San Marino trip and provide ticketing support at a reduced rate.
BFF vice-president Fahad Karim said the company would go beyond the standard commission structure.
“Usually travel agents offer us a commission on tickets. Akij Air will provide that discount and also cover several extra percentage points from their own side. It will save us money. This applies to the 34 members travelling to San Marino.”
San Marino sits inside Italy and Bangladesh had explored direct flights from Dhaka to Rome through Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Heavy demand on that route forced BFF to look at alternative airlines for the full squad and staff.
The agreement currently covers only the San Marino tour. BFF officials want to test the arrangement before discussing a longer partnership.
Fahad added: “Sometimes we need to reissue or change tickets one day before travel. We want to see how the partnership works during one tour first. Then we can think about a long-term deal.”
Daraz Mahmud welcomed the move and hinted at future involvement with football.
“Akij Group has operated with a strong reputation for many years. We are happy to become involved with football. We hope to do more work together in future.”
Interest from sponsors around Bangladesh football has increased in recent months since Hamza Choudhury committed his international future to Bangladesh. BFF has already secured new kit and team sponsorship agreements ahead of the San Marino tour.
