Ten women received ATJFB AviaTour Women’s Icon Award 2026 in recognition of outstanding contributions to Bangladesh's aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors at ceremony organised by Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh.

Awards were presented at All Community Club auditorium in Gulshan on Saturday, March 14, 2026. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat handed over honours to recipients as chief guest.

Air Astra First Officer Sajidina Sultana Soni received award in pilot category. Farzana Yasmin, Head of Cabin Service at Novoair, was honoured in cabin crew category, while Farhana Yasmin, Senior Executive of Sales and Marketing at US-Bangla Airlines, received recognition in sales and marketing category.

Mousumi Akter, Assistant Manager of Customer Service Department at US-Bangla Airlines, was honoured in customer service category. Barrister Mehnaz Mannan, Group Chairman of Bengal Airlift Limited, received award in aviation entrepreneur category, while Mukta Wahid, Manager of Cabin Service Department at US-Bangla Airlines, was honoured in instructor category.

Bosra Islam, General Manager of Public Relations at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, received award in public relations category. Sumaiya Tahmim Bushra, guide at Riverine Tours, was honoured in tour guide category, while Chef Aksa Iqbal of The Westin Dhaka received recognition in culinary tourism category. Farhana Rahman, proprietor of Royal Arsalan’s, was honoured in hospitality entrepreneur category.

Speaking at event, State Minister Millat said that this initiative by ATJFB to recognize women’s contributions in aviation and tourism is highly commendable.

“Aviation and tourism sectors play vital role in Bangladesh’s economic development. Government is working to make these sectors more modern, safe and internationally competitive”, he said.

Millat noted that women are now playing increasingly important roles in aviation, tourism and hospitality as pilots, air traffic controllers, aviation engineers, cabin crew, airport managers, hotel managers and tourism entrepreneurs.

“Achievements of today’s award recipients will inspire next generation of women to pursue careers in these sectors”, he said.

He emphasized that foundation for women’s empowerment in Bangladesh was laid long ago by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who took initiatives to increase women’s participation in rural economy, education and workplaces. Begum Khaleda Zia, as first female Prime Minister, gave priority to women’s empowerment as national development agenda, he added.

“Honourable prime minister Tarique Rahman also believes in this and has prioritized women. He introduced Family Card so that women at grassroots level can become self-reliant and financially strong”, state minister said.

ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar explained that the organization was established 14 years ago because aviation and tourism are highly specialized and technical sectors requiring capacity building and sensitization for journalists.

“We want to work as stakeholder and pressure group for policy makers. We believe development of this sector is not possible without media as stakeholder”, Tanzim said.

He noted ATJFB conducts annual training programmes, round tables, budget discussions and policy dialogues to sensitise sector at policy and national audience levels. Women’s Icon Award was introduced three years ago because, despite various recognitions in sector, women's contributions had not been acknowledged, Tanzim explained.

General Secretary Baten Biplob thanked State Minister for accepting invitation without hesitation.

“We want to play our role as journalists in building future Bangladesh under leadership of prime minister Tarique Rahman”, he said.

He noted that awards are usually given on March 8, International Women's Day, but scheduling challenges this year caused postponement.

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq thanked organizers for invitation during holy Ramadan.

“I believe this get-together will increase our friendship and unity. You have been supporting us for past three years. This support should continue in future”, he said.

Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman, Rhythm Group Managing Director and Ethiopian Airlines General Sales Agent in Bangladesh Sohag Hossain, Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Nuzhat Yasmin, and former CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mafidur Rahman attended event among others.

Ethiopian Airlines was power sponsor of Icon Award. Iftar gathering was arranged following ceremony in honour of ATJFB members, award recipients, their family members and stakeholders from aviation and tourism sectors.

Bosra Islam, General Manager of Public Relations at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said receiving award was matter of immense pride and joy.

“This honour is not mine alone but belongs to my family, colleagues and everyone who always encouraged me. This recognition will motivate me to do even better work in future”, she said.

Farhana Rahman, owner of Royal Arsalan's, acknowledged her journey was not easy and faced many challenges.

“But I learned many new things along with challenges and never lost courage. Support from my family and colleagues was my strength. This award will inspire me to do better in future”, she said.

Sumaiya Tahmim Bushra, tour guide at Riverine Tours, said that women in tourism sector will be encouraged to do better work ahead.

“There is gap in guiding sector. If more women come forward, they can do excellent work in tourism sector. I am very happy for this beautiful arrangement”, she said.

Mukta Wahid, Manager of the Cabin Service Department at US-Bangla Airlines, said, “Today marks a deeply significant milestone. While I have always performed my duties with unwavering focus and sincerity, without expectation of reward, receiving this recognition is a profound honor. This award serves as a powerful inspiration for the future. My vision is to elevate US-Bangla Airlines onto the global stage, ensuring we compete at the highest level alongside the world’s most established carriers”.