Govt working to double air passenger numbers by 2030

Dhaka: The government introduced several policies and made regulatory reforms for the growth of the country’s civil aviation industry aiming to double air passenger numbers by 2030, while the Asia Pacific region is expected to become the largest air transport market.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali on January 24 said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the 30^th Steering Committee Meeting of the Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programme, South Asia (COSCAP-SA) at a city hotel.

The State Minister said the aviation sector has contributed about 0.08 per cent of Bangladesh's GDP in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

"If the trend continues, air transport in Bangladesh is forecasted to be able to draw an additional 12.1 million passengers totaling more than 22 million passengers by 2038," he added.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali addressing the event as the chief guest – Photo: Monitor

High level regional representatives of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and civil aviation authorities of eight south Asian nations - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan and host Bangladesh are participating at the there-day long meeting till January 26.

"Work is underway to ensure timely expansion of aviation infrastructure across the country, increase passenger service, improve technical and public skills and ensure safe and smooth air navigation," Mahbub claimed.

While the country is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, policymakers need to address the critical issues of capacity, talent, technology, and sustainability for strengthening the foundations of the aviation system.

"We believe that global cooperation is the key to achieve progress and growth and COSCAP-SA with its cooperative approach has always been found in the forefront," he said.

The state minister hoped that the meeting would provide necessary impetus for the recovery from the pandemic by regaining air connectivity and way forward to explore opportunities within south Asian region.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hosain spoke as the special guest while Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman and ICAO Regional Director Tao Ma gave welcome remarks respectively.

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