Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today spoke at the United Convention Centre in the capital's Kurmitola. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Sept 12, 2026 (BSS) - Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today said the government has started work to transform Bangladesh's aviation sector into a regional hub, considering its importance to the country's trillion-dollar economy vision.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we have started working to transform the country's aviation sector into a regional aviation hub," he said.

The minister was addressing a conference titled "World-Class Aviation for Bangladesh's Economic Advancement," organised by Bonik Barta at the United Convention Centre in the capital's Kurmitola.

Millat said the government has set a target of turning Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034, with aviation expected to play a crucial role in achieving the goal.

"Many have said an airport is the mirror of a country. We have to move beyond the condition in which we inherited this sector," he said, adding that the government is prepared to undertake the necessary reforms.

The minister said becoming a modern aviation hub would require world-class airports, efficient passenger and cargo handling, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and other services meeting international standards.

He said the government has initiated reforms of civil aviation regulations after 42 years, particularly reviewing rules that create obstacles for airlines and other stakeholders.

Millat said airline representatives would be involved in formulating the new regulations to ensure that the regulatory framework facilitates aviation business while maintaining required standards.

"You should tell us what needs to be done to make it easier for you to operate. We will discuss your recommendations and finalise the issues accordingly," he told industry stakeholders.

The minister said Bangladesh currently has to send aircraft and sophisticated components to countries such as India and Singapore for maintenance and repairs, involving significant costs and procedural complexities.

Necessary changes would be made to the Civil Aviation Act and relevant regulations to build domestic aircraft maintenance and repair capacity, he added.

Referring to his recent observation of an Asian airline's operations, Millat said he had studied its MRO, aircraft operations and turnaround management, including how aircraft turnaround could be completed within just 25 minutes while keeping operating costs low.

On the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), the minister said the present government revived the project after it had been cancelled by the previous government.

Considering the potential losses surrounding the approximately $2.1 billion project, the government reopened discussions with Japan, he said.

Millat said five meetings had been held with the Japanese side since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office, involving senior Bangladesh government officials, Japanese ministerial-level representatives, the Japanese ambassador and other stakeholders.

"These initiatives have been taken to implement the project in the country's interest," he said.

The minister said HSIA currently has capacity to handle around 12 million passengers annually, which would increase to more than 24 million after the third terminal becomes operational.

He also said measures taken to improve baggage handling had substantially reduced passenger waiting time.

Previously, passengers sometimes had to wait between one-and-a-half and two hours for their baggage, while recent monitoring found that passengers were receiving their luggage within 40 minutes, he said.

Body-worn cameras are also being used to improve airport security and service standards, the minister added.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammed Abdullah Al Mamun and Total Air Services Limited Chairman KM Mujibul Haque, among others, attended the conference.

Former CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Mahmud Hossain presented the keynote paper on "World-Class Aviation for Bangladesh's Economic Advancement".

Speaking at the conference, US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammed Abdullah Al Mamun said Bangladesh could not become an aviation hub merely by constructing large airports without strengthening its domestic airlines.

Mamun called for reducing operating costs for local airlines, introducing competition in ground handling and undertaking broader policy and regulatory reforms.

He also stressed greater consultation with airline operators over airport infrastructure and facilities, saying an aviation hub must offer passengers international-standard shopping, entertainment and other services alongside modern terminal infrastructure.

Mamun also called for allowing multiple operators to provide ground-handling services to promote competition, improve service quality and reduce costs.

He said comparatively high taxes, duties, aviation fuel prices and other charges were contributing to higher airfares and operating costs for Bangladeshi carriers.

Mamun said US-Bangla plans aircraft orders worth around $2.5 billion over the coming years, noting that the aircraft would be acquired largely through manufacturer and leasing-company financing rather than being purchased entirely with the airline's own funds.

Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud moderated the event, attended by policymakers, aviation experts, diplomats, entrepreneurs and representatives of domestic and international organisations.