The government is contemplating introduction of national air cargo service with a view to expand exports, official said.
A proposal of Ministry of Commerce (MoC) in this regard was discussed at a meeting of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) recently, sources said.
The MoC and MoCAT are yet to reach a fruitful conclusion, but both ministries are working on the matter.
Demand for air cargo service has been increasing in the country gradually. As an alternative to sea and land transportation, its urgency was specially felt during the recent political turmoil, sources said.
With the demand for Bangladeshi export goods in different countries growing at a very fast rate, it is no surprise that demand for air cargo services has increased in the country, they said.
"Export trade of Bangladesh with the rest of the world is gradually increasing. Along with it, the demand of air services for carrying export goods is getting popularity side by side with sea freight," MoC Deputy Secretary Saidur Rahman Selim told the FE.
"It is an urgent need to introduce a national air cargo service in the country like the developed countries to help increase country's export trade further," he said.
"Exporters have to pay over Tk 50 billion to Tk 60.00 billion as air freight to foreign air cargo carriers every calendar year, an amount which can contribute to the domestic economy if we could have a national air cargo service. We could also earn operating profit from the service," concerned sources said.
But the freight rate of air cargo becomes double or treble during political unrest, they said.
Presently, about 700 to 800 tons export items are carried through air cargo service per day, sources added.
At present Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which has air service agreement with 42 countries, provides cargo services to its international destinations, besides flying passengers.
Local private firms/companies also provide cargo services worldwide through charter. But there is no separate national cargo air service in the country.
Generally, US$4.0 to US$6.0 million will be needed for purchasing a cargo aircraft, Bismillah Airlines managing director M. A Mannan said.
Presently, exporters have to pay from US$2.10 to US$2.80 for carrying a kg of cargo by air. But the cost of carrying a kg of cargo by air rose US$3 to 3.50 during the recent unrest, he said.
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