Bangladesh is poised to become the regional aviation hub due to its geographical advantage, growing economy, tourism potential, foreign investment, large population, and global expatriate workforce.

The government is actively leveraging this opportunity, as evidenced by recent speeches by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers, and the initiatives undertaken in the aviation sector. Recently, the UK, Airbus, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have assured Bangladesh of all possible support to become an aviation hub.

The aviation hub requires modern airports, a strong air surveillance system, skilled manpower, a skilled labour market, foreign investment, tourism development, and powerful airline companies. Ensuring these elements is crucial for a successful aviation hub. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier, represents the country in the aviation sector, but its reputation has been shaken for its negative mentions.

A report published in Prothom Alo suggests that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is making a profit. However, questions have arisen about whether the airline is actually making a profit or displaying a profit through juggling of figures. In the 2022-23 fiscal, Biman Bangladesh Airlines made a net loss of Tk. 259.1 million in its main airline business, which is unexpected for an organisation that has been in operation for 52 years.

With a population of approximately 170 million, Bangladesh possesses the potential to grow its aviation and tourism sectors. Why is the air transportation business in the country in such a fragile state where more than five million people are expatriates and 50,000 foreigners are working?

Why should Biman rely on ground handling, catering services, and poultry business income rather than airline business?
At present, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has a fleet of 21 aircrafts on 23 international routes. This is very low compared to the growing passenger demand.

The airline faces issues like inefficient management, corruption, passenger suffering, ticket syndication, and debts. However, the government plans to buy 26 more aircraft by 2034, but this is insufficient for the growing number of passengers. According to an Airbus survey, Bangladesh needs 160 aircraft by 2041 to cope with its 50% higher passenger growth than the rest of the world.

The current status of Biman, one of the main tools for becoming an aviation hub, is known. Now let's focus on infrastructure, air surveillance systems, skilled manpower, airport management, labour markets, and the tourism industry.

Firstly, the development of an international standard airport involves ensuring a modern terminal, efficient management, perfect security, attracting a large number of airline companies, and developing infrastructure around the airport. Let's compare Singapore's Changi Airport to Bangladesh's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

Over 100 airlines fly from Changi while HSIA can only accommodate 35. Last year, Changi Airport handled 58.9 million passengers on 328,000 flights, while HSIA serviced around 9 million passengers on 48,000 flights. Changi's revenue was 1.88 billion Singapore dollars, whereas HSIA's was Tk. 2,388 crore. That means the 735-square-kilometer country leads in every measure.

However, the country’s civil aviation sector is making significant progress with the construction of the third terminal and other development works at HSIA. The third terminal will serve one crore 20 lakh passengers annually. The airport is also installing a modern air surveillance radar system to enhance airspace surveillance and traffic control. Runway expansion work is underway at Cox's Bazar Airport. The government should also focus on Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.

Bangladesh has an endless source of natural beauty. However, despite the existence of 1,529 tourist spots across the country, there has not been much progress in the tourism industry. Around 1.8 million tourists visited Maldives last year, while Bangladesh received only 0.6 million. The tourism sector contributes to one-third of the Maldives' GDP, while it only contributes 3% to our GDP.

However, the Bangladeshi government has prepared a 25-year tourism master plan. There are also foreign investment proposals in Cox's Bazar and Sundarbans. Successful implementation of these initiatives, as well as increased budget allocation for the tourism sector, will help to develop the sector.

The country's airports have a long history of harassment of passengers, particularly expatriates, loss of goods, slow service, corruption, inadequate manpower, and security issues. If these issues are not resolved, the dream of a civil aviation hub will be difficult to achieve. The authorities should appoint a sufficient number of skilled personnel who will have the necessary training, technology, and facilities to provide honest, efficient, and prompt service.

 Overall, we are still far from implementing the government's plan to make Bangladesh an international aviation hub, which is difficult and time-consuming but not impossible. To address this issue, the government should prioritise the development of the aforementioned sectors. Proper initiative, funding, and implementation are necessary for this. Specifically, we should invest maximally to elevate the Biman and airport systems to a world-class standard. This will fulfil the dream of a civil aviation hub, bring economic prosperity, and increase employment.
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The writer is Chairman-in-Charge, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, BGC Trust University Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]