‘We can be a bridge between east and west’
PM for enhancing air connectivity
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government is working to enhance Bangladesh’s air connectivity with the rest of the world.
“We’ve procured ten passenger carriers in the last decade. We’re preparing to procure two more aircrafts,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing the closing ceremony of the three-daylong 6th International Flight Safety Seminar 2019 jointly organised by Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel with the theme “Team Effort Can Ensure Team Safety”.
Sheikh Hasina said the declaration of civil aviation in Bangladesh as Category-1 is just a matter of time under the International Safety Assessment Program by the US Federal Aviation Authority.
She said Bangladesh’s geographical position can play the role of a bridge between the east and the west.
“This can bring economic benefits... International passengers can travel to their destinations in a short time. With that in mind, we’re developing our airports,” she said.
Hasina said a project is underway to turn Cox’s Bazar Airport into an international one through extending its runway up to 12,000 feet.
The construction work of Khan Jahan Ali Airport in Bagerhat is also underway, she said.
The PM said the government is modernising Saidpur Airport for international flights as well.
She added that construction of a third terminal at Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport is also in progress.
With this project, it will be possible to provide services to approximately 12 million passengers a year which will be two and a half times more than the existing capacity.
Hasina said the government has passed a bill on ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University’ with a goal to develop skilled human resources in the sector.
The premier said CAAB recently obtained 75.46 percent marks in a flight safety survey conducted by International Civil Aviation Organisation, which is the highest in Asia.
Recently, Biman Bangladesh Airlines also achieved international Five Star award in safe aviation standards.
Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and CAAB Chief Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, spoke at the event among others.