OUR CORRESPONDENT
CUMILLA, Dec 29: No aircraft has landed at Cumilla Airport for the last 44 years though the airport is still in operation. At least 40 domestic and international flights operate daily using the airport's signal.
It is learnt that the airport has been closed due to lack of initiative of the authorities. As soon as they take the initiative, the aircraft will start taking-off and landing at Cumilla Airport again.
Cumilla district has the highest number of expatriates in the country. About 13 per cent of the total population of the district stay abroad. Besides, there is an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) adjacent to Cumilla Airport. Therefore, if this airport is reopened, many foreign investments will come in the EPZ along with the convenience of arrival and departure of expatriates. Besides, if the internal communication system is made easy, the trade and commerce of Cumilla will also expand.
According to sources, the country has a total of three international airports and five domestic airports. There are also seven more short take-off and landing (stall) airports. One of these seven stalls is Cumilla Airport. The airport was established on 77 acres of land in Neura, Dhulipara and Rajapara areas on the southern part of Cumilla city in 1941-42 during the Second World War. Until 1976, the airport was operational for domestic flights. Later, due to unknown reasons, the taking-off and landing of this airport was stopped.
Cumilla Airport sources said that the airport is still operational even though the aircraft did not take off or land. Many international flights from this airport are given air signals. At least 40 aircrafts use the signal from this airport every day. The monthly income is more than Tk 3 million (30 lakh). However, most of its signals are used by domestic flights to India, Bangkok and Singapore. Flights to Agartala Airport also operate on this route.
The source further said that Cumilla Airport has all the facilities including navigation, control tower, VHF set, air communication equipment, fire station, fire service. There are also separate rooms for passengers. Despite having all these facilities, the airport is closed due to lack of initiative. However, it does not require much money to relaunch.
The airport also has a huge amount of land. Now only runway repairs, fire service and air traffic control towers need to recruit a few manpower. This will enable stall flights from Cumilla Airport on domestic routes as well as flights on various routes including Kolkata and Agartala. Only Tk 200 to 250 million (20 to 25 crore) is required for these works, according to sources.
With the opening of the airport, the people of greater Cumilla will be able to easily travel to different parts of the country and international routes. Expatriates will also benefit, time will be saved. Besides, trade and commerce of the district including EPZ will also expand.
Alamgir Hossain, a Bahraini expatriate from Monoharganj in the district, said the highest number of expatriates in Bangladesh is in the six districts of Greater Cumilla and Greater Noakhali. We have lagged far behind as Cumilla Airport has been closed for the last 44 years. The airport needs to be opened quickly. I also urge the government to establish this airport as an international airport.
Atik Ullah Khokon, general secretary of the Cumilla Shop Owners Association, said, "We have been demanding the reopening of Cumilla Airport for decades." If the airport is opened, our business will be much better for trade. Our airport is also open. I am just demanding aviation by reforming. If necessary, we are willing to make a movement for it.
Some people working in Cumilla EPZ said that there are several foreign companies in this EPZ. Many foreigners are not coming to invest here due to the lack of easy communication. If the airport next to the EPZ is opened, many foreign businessmen will invest here.
Cumilla Airport Manager Md. Abdul Gani said this airport has everything. Aircraft do not take off and land here just for lack of initiative. We currently have 20 employees. Every day 35 to 40 aircraft of international flights use our signal. The monthly income from here is around Tk 3 million (30 lakh).
Abdul Gani further said that domestic flights could start at the airport only if the government took a little initiative. For this, some work including runway repair has to be done. Besides, 20/22 more manpower will have to be recruited. We also want this airport to open soon.
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