BD to be int'l aviation hub

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said that either Bangladesh's resort town Cox's Bazar or Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka may soon become the international air transportation hub due to the geographical location, report agencies.

The prime minister said this while addressing a programme marking the soft opening of Terminal 3 of Hazrat  Shahjalal International Airport.

She said that the government is transforming the airports of the country keeping that goal in mind.

The premier said once Hong Kong was the international aviation hub and Singapore later replaced Hong Kong and now Dubai has become the new aviation hub.

"I believe Bangladesh will be the international aviation hub as it is in between air routes of the East and the West.

The global airlines will land either at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport or Cox's Bazar International Airport for refueling," she said.

The prime minister said her government is upgrading the aviation sector to make Bangladesh a global aviation hub in future.

Sheikh Hasina said the third terminal with modern facilities will help expand international air connectivity.

The air link will boost international trade, commerce and business significantly for which her government has given utmost priorities to the development of the aviation sector, she also said.

She said all the major airports like Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Sylhet, Chattogram, Sayedpur, Jashore and Barishal and Rajshahi airports are being expanded and modernized.

Apart from these, steps have also been taken for inter-district air connectivity to flourish tourism, she said.

About modernization of the aviation sector, she said the government is going to set up new radar system to ensure safety and security for airways and France has been assigned to do that.

The premier said they have already started installing pipeline to bring jet fuel directly to the HSIA which will save time and money alongside protecting the environment.

She said they will build another runway in future in the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport if required.