Govt moves to overhaul 42-year-old aviation rules

The government has moved to replace Bangladesh’s 42-year-old civil aviation regulations with a new framework aimed at attracting investment, improving passenger services and strengthening aviation safety and security.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat made the remarks while chairing a meeting to finalise the draft Civil Aviation Regulations, 2026, at the ministry in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.

The new regulations will replace the Civil Aviation Regulations, 1984, which have remained in place for more than four decades.

“We have gathered today to formulate new Civil Aviation Regulations, 2026, by revising the Civil Aviation Regulations, 1984, after 42 years,” the minister said.

He said the government was taking steps to increase investment in the civil aviation sector and stressed that the new regulations must be business- and investment-friendly.

The framework will also include provisions to improve the quality of passenger services and ensure safety and security in civil aviation, he added.

Addressing representatives of airlines, the minister said they were key stakeholders and should actively participate in finalising the new regulations to help make investment easier in the sector.

He said the government would consider amendments to maintenance-related provisions, taking into account the needs of private airlines.

Steps would also be taken to remove complexities involving the maintenance, repair and overhaul of sophisticated aircraft components, he added.

The minister said provisions relating to the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) would be incorporated in line with the Cape Town Convention to protect rights related to international financing and leasing of aircraft assets.

He also called for fire safety drills and inspections of airport infrastructure every three months.

The government is planning to establish an international-standard Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) unit to support the maintenance of aircraft operated by both local and foreign airlines, he said.

“We hope to achieve our goal of becoming an aviation hub with the cooperation of all stakeholders,” the minister added.

The government will also take necessary steps to simplify procedures for establishing and expanding civil airports through private initiatives, according to the minister.

US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Md Abdullah Al Mamun presented several proposals on behalf of private airlines at the meeting, where participants held detailed discussions on the proposed provisions of the new regulations.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Fahmida Akhtar, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Kaizer Sohel Ahmed and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman, among others, attended the meeting.