Bangladesh eyes expanded air traffic services over Bay of Bengal

Dhaka : Bangladesh could unlock a significant new source of aviation revenue by exploring the expansion of its air traffic services over the Bay of Bengal and pursuing the establishment of a Flight Information Region (FIR) over the corresponding airspace, according to an analysis of the country's airspace potential.

Bangladesh's strategic location between South and Southeast Asia makes its airspace an important corridor for international commercial aviation. More than 400 aircraft reportedly overfly the Dhaka FIR daily, generating revenue through air navigation and overflight charges without necessarily landing at any Bangladeshi airport.

The country's next opportunity could lie in the extensive airspace over the Bay of Bengal, where international air routes connect major aviation markets across the region. Bringing additional airspace under Bangladesh's air traffic services could generate further revenue, provided the country can demonstrate the operational capability to manage the traffic safely and efficiently.

Air Traffic Control Tower at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka

Bangladesh secured its maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 2012 and 2014 but has yet to establish a FIR over the corresponding airspace. However, an EEZ does not automatically confer the right to establish a FIR. Any proposed extension would require detailed technical and operational assessments, consultations with neighboring states and consideration under the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Asia-Pacific regional air-navigation planning process.

Safety, operational efficiency and the ability to provide reliable air traffic services would be central to determining any new airspace arrangements. The Bay of Bengal's interconnected routes and the interests of multiple countries make regional coordination particularly important.

Bangladesh has strengthened its air traffic management capabilities through the installation of modern radar and air traffic management, communications, navigation and surveillance (ATM/CNS) systems. These developments could support the handling of additional overflights, subject to the capacity of the overall air traffic management system and the requirements of any proposed expansion.

Airport view from the inside of air traffic control tower

The potential financial returns could be substantial. Bangladesh earned approximately BDT 199.29 crore from overflight revenue during January-March 2026, compared with BDT 184.53 crore in the same period of 2025 and BDT 157.15 crore in 2024.

An illustrative scenario suggests that an additional 200-400 chargeable overflights daily, at an average charge of around USD 400 per aircraft, could generate USD 29.2-58.4 million annually. This is a hypothetical calculation rather than a revenue forecast; actual returns would depend on the airspace assigned, traffic volumes, applicable charging arrangements and the costs of providing the services.

Expanding air traffic services over the Bay of Bengal would therefore require more than installing surveillance equipment or identifying potential routes. Bangladesh would need to establish the technical, operational and institutional case for any proposed FIR arrangement, engage neighboring countries and follow the applicable ICAO   procedures.

For Bangladesh, the challenge is to translate its geographical advantage into an economically viable aviation asset while maintaining the highest standards of safety and regional cooperation. A structured assessment of the additional airspace that could responsibly be managed, the investment required and the potential economic return could provide a starting point for this initiative.