Kamrul Hasan: Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, MP, has said, “We want to transform Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport into a global aviation hub. With everyone’s cooperation, we will move forward to achieve that goal, Insha’Allah. We are ready to provide maximum support in implementing any development initiative.”

She made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday morning (April 20), as part of the ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s aviation sector and bring it up to international standards in terms of safety and efficiency.

Special guest at the event was the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP.

The Minister said, “We are proudly launching a modern and automated Air Traffic Management system, which will make our airspace safer, more efficient, and upgraded to international standards.”

She further stated that the government’s objective is to advance the aviation sector through technology-driven and modern management, transforming the country’s main airport into a regional and global connectivity hub.

In her speech, she also recalled the historical contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in laying the foundation of the country’s aviation sector. She said that the launch of Dhaka’s new international airport at Kurmitola in 1980 laid the foundation of the country’s aviation system, upon which today’s progress is built.

According to analysts, the launch of the new Air Traffic Management Centre will significantly enhance the technological capacity of the country’s airspace management. It is expected to further strengthen flight safety, efficiency, and punctuality, while also reinforcing Bangladesh’s position in international aviation.

The event was also attended by H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Fahmida Akhtar, NDC, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, Vice President of Thales Mr. Nicolas Bouverot, along with senior officials from the ministry and CAAB.