Govt seeks Lufthansa support to develop Bangladesh as aviation hub

The government has sought Lufthansa’s support for developing Bangladesh as an aviation hub, including investment in a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility and cooperation in developing skilled aviation professionals.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat made the request during a meeting with a Lufthansa delegation led by German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz at his office in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The minister said there was significant scope to expand Bangladesh-Germany cooperation in the civil aviation sector, building on the existing friendly relations between the two countries.

He said Lufthansa, one of the world’s leading aviation companies, could explore investment opportunities in establishing an MRO facility in Bangladesh as the country moves towards becoming an aviation hub.

The airline could also work with Bangladesh to develop skilled human resources for the aviation sector, he said.

The minister also sought Germany’s cooperation in removing the European Union’s High Risk Cargo and Mail (HRCM) status imposed on cargo originating from Bangladesh since 2017.

He said the government had taken measures to address all the observations raised under the status and that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Osmani International Airport had recently achieved security audit ratings of more than 90%.

Bangladesh therefore expected Germany’s support in removing the HRCM status, Millat said.

The meeting also discussed the development of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the proposed purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft.

Millat said the government was working to sign an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of the 10 aircraft, stressing the need to bring forward the delivery schedule.

He said deliveries should begin before 2030.

The two sides also expressed interest in increasing air connectivity between Bangladesh and Germany and expanding cooperation in tourism, alongside strengthening bilateral relations.

The German ambassador and members of the Lufthansa delegation attended the meeting.