Govt interested in reopening closed airports in Thakurgaon, Bogura: State Minister

Dhaka: Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is interested in reopening closed airports in Thakurgaon and Bogura.

In addition to these two, other airports, which were shut down during the previous regime, are also being considered for revival, he added.

The state minister made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting held at Jamalpur Circuit House on Friday, February 27.

Alongside reopening the closed ones, the government has plans for building new airports as well. Millat said if a new airport is constructed, it will be located in the Mymensingh division.

Over the last couple of decades, a number of domestic airports, which once regularly handled scheduled flights, were shut down one after another.

One notable example is Ishwardi Airport in Pabna. The airport saw its last scheduled commercial flight in 2014, just over a decade ago.

Aviation analysts and industry stakeholders have long been advocating for the reopening of closed airports.

They argue reopening closed airports could enhance air connectivity across the country and eventually boost trade and tourism in local economies.

Moreover, local airlines, currently suffering from low load factors, could also benefit from expanding operations to new routes and destinations.