Following the increasing demand for airways, more domestic airports are likely to bring under commercial operation.
In recent, high officials of the government are visiting a good number of domestic airport including Ishwardi Airport, BograAirpot, and others.
Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister Md. Mahbub Ali earlier told Bangladesh Post, “As the country is expected to turn into global aviation hub, domestic passengers are also increasing rapidly. In this regard, we are inspecting our other domestic airports. We have plans to bring them under commercial airport.”
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On October 17, state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali physically inspected the Ishwardi Airport.
On August 19 this year, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam sought Russian support to make Ishwardi Airport functional.
According to CAAB, PIA operated first passenger flight from Ishwardi Airport in 1962. After independence to till 1989, national flag carrier of the country operates regular flights from/to there. Later in 2013, private airliner United Airways started flight operation but suspended in 204.
On the other hand, after nearly two decades of infrastructure construction, the government has taken initiative to launch Bogra Airport.
Bogra is the center of North Bengal. This major district of Rajshahi Division is well connected through rail and road with other parts of the country but air connectivity was not there despite having required infrastructure.
In this regard a four-member delegation visited the airport area on Monday. Bogra-7Member of Parliament Rezaul Karim Bablu said soon they will submit a report.Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) joint secretary Israt Jahan Panna was also in the team.
He said, “Several times I spoke in the parliament to open Bogra airport. Later, I gave a presentation to the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism to start domestic air operation from here. The aviation minister understands the importance of opening the airport. Later, a written proposal was sent to him to start commercial operation to/from Bogra Airport.”
In the light of the request from RezaulKarimBablu on March 1, CAAB formed a four-member committee this year to examine the possibility of commercial operation of Bogra Airport. They observe the possibility of flying from there. They have also inspected the existing infrastructure including runway.
Bogra 5 Member of Parliament Md. Habibar Rahman said, “We have repeated the issue for starting commercial flight operation from here. We have also demand to rename the airport after Sheikh Russel. We hope our Prime Minister will give positive instruction to start the commercial operation.”
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman said, “Necessary steps will be taken in this regard after receiving the inspection report from the committee.”
US Bangla Airlines general manager (Public Relation) Kamrul Islam told Bangladesh Post, “If government allow flight operation of other domestic airports, we are ready start our operation to/from there. Only the government can create the opportunity we can make best use of it.”
It may be mentioned that after the Awami League government came to power in 1996, under the project, construction of runways, office buildings and residential buildings for officials, supply of electricity and water, construction of roads and construction of all necessary infrastructure started. The project was completed in 2000. But no commercial operation .
