Kamrul Hasan : The government will conduct feasibility study to assess the potentials of reopening several closed and underutilized airports across the country.

The study will be conducted aimed at reopening the airports to utilize those for domestic connectivity and support balanced regional development.

Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam said this today in the Jatiya Sangsad in response to a starred tabled question from ruling party member SM Jahangir Hossain (Dhaka-18).

She informed that Bangladesh currently has 17 airports, including international and domestic airports, navigation-service-providing facilities used by the Bangladesh Air Force and a number of old Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) airports.

“Three international airports are- Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet from which both international and domestic flights are operated. Five domestic airport are in Saidpur, Shah Makhdum (Rajshahi), Jashore, Barishal, and Cox’s Bazar.

Highlighting the status of older facilities, she noted that six STOL airports are located in Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Ishwardi, Shamshernagar, Cumilla, and Patuakhali, which were constructed during World War II, and now remained closed or underutilized.

“Although commercial flights do not operate from Cumilla Airport, it continues to provide navigation services to foreign aircraft crossing Bangladesh’s airspace,” she said.

The minister further said Tejgaon Airport in Dhaka is not used for passenger services and is currently operated by the Bangladesh Air Force.

She said, in line with the election manifesto, the government aims to establish nationwide air connectivity by gradually linking divisional and district towns through the development of small airports and airstrips.

“Considering public demand, initiatives have already been taken to conduct detailed feasibility studies through local consulting firms to evaluate the viability of reopening the closed airports,” she added.

As part of this initiative, she noted that the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is carrying out the feasibility of proposed Bogura Airport, she said.