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Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced that the government has commenced comprehensive initiatives to transform Bangladesh's aviation sector into a competitive regional hub to anchor the nation’s vision of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034. Speaking on Saturday (September 12) at a policy conference titled "World-Class Aviation for Bangladesh's Economic Advancement," organized by the daily Bonik Barta at the United Convention Centre in Kurmitola, Dhaka, the minister emphasized that modernized airports act as the gateway and mirror of a nation. Pledging to overhaul inherited systemic deficiencies, Millat outlined that establishing an international aviation hub demands world-class passenger handling, seamless cargo movement, and dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities.
To foster an investor-friendly climate, the government has initiated a complete overhaul of civil aviation regulations for the first time in 42 years, focusing on dismantling obsolete legal bottlenecks that impede commercial operators. The minister invited airline stakeholders to actively contribute recommendations to the regulatory framework and confirmed upcoming legislative amendments to the Civil Aviation Act to establish domestic aircraft maintenance infrastructure. Millat noted that local carriers currently incur immense expenses and logistical delays sending planes and components to India and Singapore, pointing out that domestic operations could adopt modern turnaround models—such as the 25-minute turnaround times achieved by low-cost Asian carriers.
Touching upon Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's (HSIA) Third Terminal, Millat revealed that the current administration revived the roughly $2.1 billion project with Japan after previous cancellations, holding five high-level bilateral rounds with Japanese authorities to align the infrastructure with national interests. Once operational, the terminal will boost HSIA’s passenger handling capacity from 12 million to over 24 million annually. Service enhancements have also cut luggage wait times from up to two hours down to 40 minutes, complemented by body-worn security cameras.
Addressing the conference, US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammed Abdullah Al Mamun cautioned that an aviation hub cannot materialize solely through modern terminal architecture without empowering homegrown carriers. Mamun advocated for breaking state-run ground-handling monopolies to introduce market competition, lowering high fuel prices, and slashing taxes and duties that inflate operating costs for domestic operators.
He disclosed that US-Bangla is preparing aircraft orders valued at approximately $2.5 billion in the coming years primarily through manufacturer and leasing-firm financing. Moderated by Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, the session also featured State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, former CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Mahmud Hossain, and Total Air Services Limited Chairman KM Mujibul Haque.
