Initiatives have been taken to launch aircraft refueling facilities at the Sylhet Osmani International Airport to enable foreign airlines to operate on flights to Sylhet.
A project titled “Construction of aviation refueling facilities at Sylhet Osmani International Airport” costing Tk 42 crore was approved at the executive committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on Tuesday.
Padma Oil Company Limited, on behalf of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), will implement the project, to be completed by June 2011, said an official at the Planning Ministry.
He said that the number of Sylhet flights by foreign operators would increase once the project is completed.
“This will also increase sale of Jet A-1 fuel to earn more foreign exchange. Besides, this will also attract local and foreign investment in Sylhet to boost the country's economy,” he added.
On completion of the project, it would be possible to supply Jet A-1 fuel to two aircrafts at a time.
Under the project, some land will be acquired adjacent to the depot of Padma Oil Company Limited, a storage tank capacity of 1350 kilo litres will be constructed and a pump house, pipe line, filtration system and additional storage tank of the same capacity will be constructed within the airport area.
Besides, fire extinguishing system at the airport and railway station will be installed, standby generator will be procured, electrification system including sub-station will be installed as well as railway siding at Sylhet Railway Station area will be developed.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines and United Airways will begin operation at the Osmani International Airport after the government upgrades it to an international airport.
The project was earlier approved at the pre-ECNEC Committee (PEC) meeting on June 13 this year.