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Published : 18 Jun 2026, 08:39 PM
The government has moved to upgrade eight Short Take-Off and Landing ports (STOLports) into full-fledged domestic airports as part of a master plan to expand air connectivity across Bangladesh.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam also told parliament on Thursday that Biman Bangladesh Airlines will sign a deal with Boeing to procure 14 additional aircraft to expand its fleet.
Responding to separate questions from lawmakers Md Abu Taleb Mandal of Pabna-4 and Sarwar Jamal Nizam of Chattogram-13 during the question-and-answer session, the minister said the initiatives are part of broader efforts to strengthen national aviation infrastructure.
She said the government has pledged in its election manifesto to develop a National Air Connectivity Grid.
“Under this commitment, small airports and airstrips will be constructed to connect divisional cities first, and then district towns in phases,” she said.
She added that feasibility studies are underway to upgrade STOLports at Bogura, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Ishurdi in Pabna, Shamshernagar in Moulvibazar, Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat, Cumilla and Patuakhali into domestic airports.
Final decisions on launching the airports will be taken after detailed feasibility reports are submitted by consultants.
Responding to a query on the revival of Ishurdi Airport, the minister also provided historical details of the facility.
She said 176.7 hectares of land were acquired between 1955 and 1957 for its construction. In 1962, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) began passenger flights there.
After independence, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated its first flight to Ishurdi using an F-27 aircraft on Apr 10, 1972.
However, the service was suspended in 1987 due to commercial reasons.
Flights resumed in 1994 on the Dhaka–Rajshahi–Ishurdi route but were again suspended in 1996 due to low passenger demand.
United Airways last operated flights on the route in 2013–14, the minister told parliament.
15 Aircraft Added over Past 15 Years
Responding to another question, Afroza said the national flag carrier has added nine aircraft to its fleet over the past 15 years.
She said two Boeing 787-9 aircraft were purchased in 2019, five Dash-8-400 aircraft were added in 2020 and 2021, and two Boeing 737-800 aircraft were acquired in 2021.
The minister said under Biman’s Fleet Expansion Plan 2026–2035, the airline will require 47 aircraft by 2035.
“To achieve this target, a deal has already been signed with Boeing for the purchase of 14 aircraft,” she said.
She added that, in order to ensure long-term sustainability, the airline is also considering additional aircraft under a planned “mixed fleet” strategy.
Airfares Reduced For Expatriate Workers
Responding to questions on reducing travel costs for migrant workers, the minister said fares for expatriates returning from Jeddah and Madinah during the Hajj season on empty flights have been reduced from Tk 50,000–55,000 to Tk 20,000.
She said special low-cost T-class tickets have also been introduced for passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Malaysia.
Under the scheme, Dhaka–Jeddah fares have been reduced from Tk 62,000 to Tk 48,000, Dhaka–Riyadh and Dhaka–Dammam from Tk 53,000 to Tk 48,000, Dhaka–Doha from Tk 53,000 to Tk 46,000, Dhaka–Muscat from Tk 39,000 to Tk 30,000, and Dhaka–Kuala Lumpur from Tk 28,000 to Tk 21,000, she said.
