State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, handed over the ATJFB AviaTour Women’s Icon Award 2026 as the chief guest at a ceremony held in Gulshan today. Photo: Collected

Dhaka, Mar 14, 2026 (BSS) – Ten women were honoured with the ATJFB AviaTour Women’s Icon Award 2026 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors at a ceremony organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) in the capital.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the All Community Club auditorium in Gulshan on Saturday.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat handed over the honours to the recipients as the chief guest.

In the pilot category, Air Astra First Officer Sajidina Sultana Soni received the award.

In the cabin crew category, Farzana Yasmin, Head of Cabin Service of Novoair, was honoured, while Farhana Yasmin, Senior Executive (Sales and Marketing) of US-Bangla Airlines, received recognition in the sales and marketing category.

Mousumi Akter, Assistant Manager of the Customer Service Department of US-Bangla Airlines, was honoured in the customer service category.

In the aviation entrepreneur category, Barrister Mehnaz Mannan, Group Chairman of Bengal Airlift Limited, received the award, while Mukta Wahid, Manager of the Cabin Service Department of US-Bangla Airlines, was honoured in the instructor category.

Bosra Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, received the award in the public relations category.

In the tourism-related categories, Sumaiya Tahmim Bushra, guide of Riverine Tours, was honoured in the tour guide category, while Chef Aksa Iqbal of The Westin Dhaka received recognition in the culinary tourism category.

Farhana Rahman, proprietor of Royal Arsalan’s, was honoured in the hospitality entrepreneur category.

Speaking at the event, State Minister Millat said the initiative by ATJFB to recognise women’s contributions in aviation and tourism was highly commendable.

He said the aviation and tourism sectors play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economic development, adding that the government is working to make these sectors more modern, safe and internationally competitive.

The state minister noted that women are now playing increasingly important roles in aviation, tourism and hospitality as pilots, air traffic controllers, aviation engineers, cabin crew, airport managers, hotel managers and tourism entrepreneurs.

“The achievements of today’s award recipients will inspire the next generation of women to pursue careers in these sectors,” he said.

ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar and General Secretary Baten Biplob also spoke at the event.

Among others present were Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman, Rhythm Group Managing Director and Ethiopian Airlines’ General Sales Agent in Bangladesh Sohag Hossain, Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Nuzhat Yasmin, and former CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mafidur Rahman.

Ethiopian Airlines was the power sponsor of the Icon Award. 

An iftar gathering was arranged following the ceremony in honour of ATJFB members, the award recipients, their family members and stakeholders from the aviation and tourism sectors attended the event.