Bogura International Airport: Questions raised over need

The government has taken an initiative to construct an international airport in Bogura, in the northern region of the country, one like Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. To this end, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has already called for Requests for Proposals (RFP) from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and the Bangladesh Air Force Welfare Trust to conduct feasibility studies for the project. However, aviation experts have raised questions over the justification of such an initiative.

According to them, the current demand for international passenger and cargo transport in the northern region is not yet significant enough to necessitate an international airport there. Rather, the existing airports' capacities are not even being fully utilized.

During the previous Awami League regime, CAAB had also taken an initiative to build an international airport named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. When land acquisition began in Arial Bil, Munshiganj, local residents strongly protested. Although a new site was later designated, construction of that proposed airport never commenced.

Aviation expert and former board member of Biman Bangladesh, Kazi Wahidul Alam, told Agamir Somoy that there is no economic basis for constructing an international airport in Bogura. Considering the current demand for passenger and cargo transports, he said that at most, a domestic airport could be built there.

Former CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Muhammad Mafidur Rahman said the announcement of the international airport construction was not timely. He noted that if Bangladesh wants to become a regional aviation hub, it requires realistic planning and proper prioritization. However, he believes that from a defense strategy perspective, there is a need for a strong airbase in Bogura.

The country already has four international airports: Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Cox's Bazar. Cox's Bazar is currently operating as a domestic airport. To upgrade it to international standards, over the past few years, a total of more than Tk 6,000 crore has been spent for a total of three projects. This included constructing the country's longest runway (10,700 feet), a new terminal building, and other facilities. Despite repeated requests, no international airline has yet shown interest in operating flights from Cox's Bazar.

Even though Cox's Bazar is the country's most popular and important tourist destination, international airlines have not shown interest in operating flights there, considering it "not commercially viable." Even US-Bangla, the country's only private airline operating international flights, did not show interest.

During the previous interim government, after a notification was issued declaring it an international airport, at CAAB's request, Biman Bangladesh Airlines showed interest in operating a single flight. Biman had prepared to operate a weekly flight on the Cox's Bazar-Dhaka-Kolkata route. However, due to various unpreparedness issues, the notification regarding the international airport was suspended, and that flight was never launched.

Meanwhile, outside Dhaka, international flights do not operate very frequently in Chattogram and Sylhet as well. Although the interim government introduced international cargo flights from Sylhet, they were later discontinued due to a lack of sufficient export cargo.

CAAB has sought proposals from BUET and the Bangladesh Air Force Welfare Trust to conduct feasibility studies. There are also plans to establish a flying academy and a modern airbase there.

Lack of Economic Foundation: Experts believe the current demand for international passenger and cargo traffic in the northern region does not justify an international airport. Former Biman board member Kazi Wahidul Alam explicitly stated the project has "no economic basis" and that at most a domestic airport is feasible there.

Untimely and Waste of Resources: Former CAAB Chairman Mafidur Rahman called the initiative "not timely." He emphasized that to make Bangladesh a regional hub, realistic planning and prioritization are essential.

Underutilization of Existing Capacity: Critics argue that before building new airports, the capacity of existing international airports should be fully utilized—but the current reality shows the opposite.

Reality of Other International Airports:

Cox's Bazar: Over Tk 6,000 crore was spent to upgrade it to international standards. However, no international airline has shown interest in operating there, despite repeated solicitations. Even US-Bangla showed no interest.

Sylhet (Osmani International Airport): International cargo flights were introduced but closed down due to a lack of sufficient export cargo. Out of only 41 cargo flights in 6 months, the operation proved unsustainable.

Chattogram (Shah Amanat International Airport): Even though it is outside of Dhaka, international flights remain limited here as well; reports indicate seven more international flights were cancelled in March 2026.

This is not the first time a large-scale airport project has faced controversy. During the previous government, an international airport named after Bangabandhu was planned for Arial Bil, Munshiganj. However, the project was scrapped following intense local protests over land acquisition.

It is worth noting that former CAAB Chairman Mohammad Mafidur Rahman acknowledged that, aside from commercial aspects, there is a strategic defense necessity for a strong airbase in Bogura. The government's plan also includes establishing a modern airbase, which is likely a significant driving factor behind this project.

Amid These Realities, CAAB Pushes Forward with Bogura International Airport.

Despite these ground realities, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is pressing ahead with the construction of the international airport in Bogura. Officials have stated that implementing this project will require acquiring approximately 3,000 additional acres of land. This acquisition is likely to cover vast swathes of agricultural land and residential homesteads, raising concerns that it may create significant local challenges and opposition.

CAAB Chief Engineer Md. Zakaria Hossain told Agamir Somoy that they have already sent Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque and the Bangladesh Air Force Welfare Trust. Once proposals are received from them, they will be reviewed, and one of the organizations may be assigned the job.

Meanwhile, questions have also been raised regarding the hiring of these two institutions. Concerned parties point out that neither BUET nor the Air Force Welfare Trust has prior experience in planning and designing a large-scale international airport like Hazrat Shahjalal. This has cast doubt on the project's implementation methodology from the very beginning.

However, CAAB has said that it is keeping alternative options open. Md. Zakaria Hossain cited that if the proposals from either of these two institutions are found unacceptable, they will assign the task to an international firm.

Following the BNP's return to power, a series of new plans have been undertaken in the civil aviation and tourism sectors. As part of this drive, it was announced last May that the Bogura International Airport would be constructed on the model of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

After visiting the Bogura Air Base, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said that alongside the construction of an international-standard airport in Bogura, there is a plan to build a 10,500-foot-long runway to accommodate both domestic and international aircraft landings. He also confirmed that cargo facilities will be established at this airport, which he said would play a vital role in the agricultural products, industrial goods, and export trade of the northern region.

A Silver Lining: Training and MRO Facilities

Experts, however, have viewed the plans to establish an Aviation Training Institute and an international-standard MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) center in Bogura positively. Kazi Wahidul Alam noted that if a world-class MRO facility is developed outside Dhaka, foreign airlines may become interested in utilizing its maintenance services.

Old Dreams, New Name:

Initiatives to build international airports in the country are not new. Previously, in 2010, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave in-principle approval for the construction of the "Bangabandhu International Airport." At that time, the estimated cost was around Tk 50,000 crore.

In 2010, the pre-feasibility study committee visited seven sites and shortlisted three locations—among them Trishal in Mymensingh and Bhuanpur in Tangail. The government later backed away from all three sites.

Following the committee's recommendations, Arial Bil in Munshiganj was finalized in November 2010. When the land acquisition process began, local residents vehemently opposed it. On January 31, 2011, a clash broke out between villagers and police during a protest, resulting in the death of one police officer and injuries to hundreds of people. Subsequently, the then-government suspended the Arial Bil airport project.

In January 2015, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism restarted the process of identifying a new location for the Bangabandhu Airport. The plan was eventually finalized to build the airport near the border of Shariatpur and Madaripur districts, across the Padma Bridge. The new estimated cost was set at a staggering Tk 1 lakh crore.

To conduct the feasibility study for that project, the Japanese consulting firm Nippon Koei was hired at a cost of Tk 136 crore. After four years of surveys, they selected a suitable site along the border of Shibchar, Madaripur, and Shariatpur. However, in the end, CAAB never proceeded with the construction, and hundreds of crores of taka of public money went down the drain.