State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali today that the government is mulling to resume operations of the country's five STOL airport in phases as socio-economic condition of the countrymen has been improving day by day.
He made the remark while speaking at a seminar titled "Capacity building of international airports and opening of stalled domestic airports in Bangladesh" at a city hotel this afternoon.
STOL airport means a short takeoff and landing (STOL) airport with a conventional fixed-wing aircraft that has short runway requirements for takeoff and landing.
The five STOL airports of the country are situated in Ishwardy, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Shamshernagar and Cumilla but flight operations in those airfields were suspended gradually over the years.
The seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Monitor with a view to promote smart aviation in the country and was supported by Eastern Bank Ltd.
Alam said the present grown of the country's aviation sector is the highest in this region and the growth in the country's aviation market will increase to triple in the next 15 years.
Country's socio-economic status will be developed and huge employment will be generated if we can tap this prosperity, he added.
The seminar was presided over by Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal M. Mafidur Rahman and moderated by Bangladesh Monitor Editor Kazi Wahidul Alam.
CAAB chairman said they are planning to take measures to reopen the country's all STOL airport.
He also highlighted the government's ongoing activities to upgrade the country's different airports and runways to make Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.
The keynote paper was presented by Wg. Cdr. (Retd.) A.T.M. Nazrul Islam, Managing Director, United Airways (BD) Ltd while the discussant panel included Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director, Novo Air; Air Cdr Dr. Md. Mahbub Zaman Khan, Director Corporate Training and Planning, Biman Bangladesh Airlines among others.
Novoair managing director stressed the need for having a parallel runway at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to tap the prospect of additional capacity of passenger handling due to third terminal.
The seminar was attended by representatives from local and foreign airlines, regulatory authorities, other stakeholders and media.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)