US-Bangla Airlines (BS, Dhaka) is planning to launch its long-touted long-haul operations in 2023, initially connecting Bangladesh with European destinations in 2023 and then Northern American ones in 2025.

The carrier said in a statement celebrating its eighth birthday that its initial destinations in Europe would include London, Rome Fiumicino, and Amsterdam Schiphol. In North America, the carrier is looking at New York and Toronto Pearson.

US-Bangla Airlines confirmed to Smart Aviation Asia-Pacific that it is planning to add widebody aircraft prior to the commencement of the long-haul services. However, it did not go into details and did not respond to ch-aviation's query. The airline's current international network focuses on India, South-East Asia, and the Gulf. It is planning to enter Saudi Arabia with services to Jeddah International, Riyadh, Dammam, and Madinah, as well as add Abu Dhabi International to its existing network in the UAE and Delhi International to the Indian market.

The airline currently operates seven ATR72-600s, three DHC-8-Q400s, and six B737-800s, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. It said it is planning to add four second-hand B737-800s and three new ATR72-600s going forward.