Bangladesh’s aviation market to triple in 15 years: minister

Air traffic in Bangladesh will increase almost three times in the next 15 years, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali said today.

"In the last 10 years, the country's aviation market has almost doubled in terms of passenger and cargo transportation. It will increase three times in the next 15 years," he said while addressing the 58th Conference of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia and Pacific Region held at a city hotel.

Dhaka is hosting this event after 38 years.

Around 500 foreign delegates, representing 47 countries and 13 international organizations are participating in the event.

The state minister said that under the strong leadership and direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country's aviation sector is developing and progressing.

Work is underway for the expansion of air infrastructure across the country and to increase passenger services.

Mahbub Ali said, as part of improving technical and public efficiency and ensuring safe and smooth air navigation, various development projects have already been completed at all airports in the country, including the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Other developments are progressing rapidly.

Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman presided over the event. Directors general from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and guests, including ICAO President Salvatore Saquitano, Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, and Regional Director Tao Ma attended the event.

The CAAB boss said that Bangladesh's ICAO membership in 1973 under the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was crucial for establishing international communication links.

Aviation safety, air navigation, aviation security, facilitation, development of air transports, prevention of environmental disasters, capacity building of the aviation sector, practical aspects and related issues will be discussed and recommendations will be made at the conference.

The conference, a landmark initiative after ICAO's tri-annual general meeting, was first held in Dhaka in 1985.

The event aims to formulate recommendations to enhance the region's aviation landscape.