Dhaka, Sept. 16 -- A platform of Bangladeshi expatriates on Wednesday pressed for direct air connectivity between Sylhet and New York, United States, saying it will ease air travel for the Sylheti diaspora living in the US.

The demand was made at a press conference arranged by the "New York to Sylhet Direct Air Connectivity Implementation Council" at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.

Speakers said Sylhet already has direct international flights to destinations, including London and Manchester, while air connectivity exists between New York and Dhaka.

"If flights from London and Manchester to Sylhet are possible, there should be no major obstacle to launching a direct New York-Sylhet service," said Jahirul Ruhel Chowdhury, a US-based B...