Air passengers likely to grow threefold by 2040

Bangladesh's domestic and international airline passengers as well as cargo traffic are expected to increase around three times between 2019 and 2040, according to aircraft maker Airbus.

The number of domestic and international air passengers in the country is also likely to grow at 5.9 per cent annually which is twice the world average over the period, it added.

The high-ups of the Europe-origin aerospace company made the predictions at a ceremony organised at VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Sunday to demonstrate its A350 series.

President of Airbus Group India Remi Maillard, Head of Wide Body Market Development, Airbus Francois Obe and Wide Body Market Development Manager Emillion Alvares Robles spoke on the occasion.

In his speech, Remi Maillard said Bangladesh is a shining economic star in the globe as well as an aviation star since its market for air passengers and cargo is growing fast.

Bangladesh now needs to focus on the expansion of its global presence through an additional number of long-haul flight carriers, he added.

"Bangladesh's necessity for such aim with new generation carriers is also aligned with the mission of Airbus." A-350 is the latest, quietest and most efficient aircraft of the segment, he said.

Francois Obe said the A-350 series are much lighter aircraft than the competitors, making it a fuel-efficient one.

Bangladeshi flight operators especially those of Biman Bangladesh Airlines could offer world-class services to its passengers and reach new heights with the aircraft, he said.

Emillion Alvares Robles made a presentation on the features and characteristics of A350 with focus on Bangladesh's aviation market.

According to it, Bangladesh is expected to recover from the losses incurred in the aviation sector due to pandemic much ahead of other countries.

Bangladesh's aviation market is now growing at 9.0 per cent annually which is 50 per cent higher than the global average of 6 per cent.

The presentation also said the Airbus A350 series offer the world's most modern and efficient widebody family and the long-range leader. It is the only all-new design aircraft in the 300 to 410-seater categories, offering the lowest cost per seat of any large widebody.

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