Air Vice Marshal (Retd) M Mafidur Rahman served as the longest-tenured Chairman of CAAB from 2019 to 2024, overseeing the construction of Terminal-3 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and many other development projects. He also held the appointment as Chairman of CAPSCA (Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation) Asia-Pacific Region during the most critical COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2023) and successfully contributed to the COVID management and recovery of aviation in the region. He was recently interviewed by Md Tanzim Anwar, President of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), sharing his insights on Bangladesh’s aviation sector and future hub ambitions.

What immediate actions should the next government prioritize to move toward an aviation hub?

Establishing a full-fledged aviation hub is a long-term process, but certain actions must begin immediately. First and foremost, Terminal-3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport must become operational as soon as possible, supported by efficient and professional ground handling services. Second, due to technical and operational requirements, construction of a second runway at Hazrat Shahjalal is essential and should be initiated without delay. Third, all ongoing modernization and development projects at international and domestic airports must be completed to remove capacity constraints.

In parallel, the government should initiate the process of establishing another international airport near the capital, integrated with an aerotropolis concept and fast-track multimodal connectivity. These steps will lay the foundation for hub development and signal seriousness of intent.

The new government has pledged to transform Bangladesh into a regional aviation hub. From your perspective, why is this goal strategically important now?

Bangladesh’s geographical location and demographic profile make this moment particularly critical. From Dhaka, South Asia is reachable within two hours, Southeast Asia within four hours, and the Middle East and wider Asia within six hours. We are located at the center of a region that hosts more than 4.7 billion people—around 60 percent of the global population—and where most global economic activity is concentrated.

In the modern era, national strength is increasingly defined by a country’s ability to explore and manage its airspace. Aviation is no longer just a transport mode; it is a key enabler of trade, investment, tourism, and geopolitical relevance.

How have other countries used aviation hubs to accelerate economic development?

Countries that anticipated aviation’s importance and invested early in hub-centric infrastructure are now global and regional economic leaders. Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the UAE are examples of nations that once shared comparable socioeconomic conditions with Bangladesh but now enjoy far higher development outcomes.

Their success stems from robust aviation ecosystems capable of handling large volumes of passenger and cargo traffic. Aviation hubs attract foreign investment, support manufacturing through air cargo, stimulate tourism, and generate high-value employment. Bangladesh missed earlier opportunities, but it is not too late to catch up—provided decisive action is taken now.

Could you clarify what defines an aviation hub and how it differs from a conventional airport?

A hub airport functions as a central connecting point where passengers and cargo transfer between flights and destinations. It enables airlines to operate efficiently by offering more destinations with fewer direct flights. Hub airports typically feature multiple runways, large terminal complexes, advanced cargo handling, and premium passenger services such as fast-track security, lounges, and priority boarding.

Major examples include Dubai International, Hamad International in Qatar, Istanbul Airport, Singapore Changi, Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Tokyo Haneda. These hubs are deeply integrated into national economic strategies and are major beneficiaries of global aviation growth.

From an economic standpoint, how significant is aviation globally?

Aviation directly contributes around USD 3.5 trillion to global GDP, representing approximately 4.1 percent of total global output. When indirect and induced impacts are included—such as fuel supply, catering, ground handling, tourism, and manufacturing—the contribution rises to nearly USD 4.9 trillion and supports about 87.7 million jobs worldwide.

While developed countries benefit more due to established infrastructure, aviation can be an even more powerful catalyst for growth in developing economies by improving market access and attracting foreign investment.

What indicators suggest that Bangladesh’s aviation market is ready for hub development?

Bangladesh is considered a highly predictable aviation market based on strong historical data and demographic fundamentals. With a population of around 170 million and nearly 10 million Bangladeshi expatriates living abroad, demand for air travel is structurally strong.

Boeing and IATA forecast that Bangladesh’s air travel will double within the next decade. Boeing projects annual air-traffic growth of nearly 8.5 percent and economic growth above five percent through 2032. Prior to COVID-19, GDP growth exceeded eight percent, and passenger traffic growth averaged eight to nine percent annually, clearly justifying urgent capacity expansion.

Has current airport infrastructure kept pace with this growth trajectory?

No. Existing infrastructure primarily facilitates passenger travel, with limited cargo capability. Terminal-3 at Hazrat Shahjalal was designed mainly to address congestion, with capacity for about 12–14 million passengers, expandable to around 16 million, and approximately 900,000 tons of cargo annually. It includes only limited hub provisions.

Given regional trends indicating rapid growth in both passenger and cargo air transport, this capacity will not be sufficient to support hub ambitions in the long term.

How does airline capacity affect Bangladesh’s hub potential?

Currently, only three Bangladeshi airlines operate international routes, collectively utilizing less than one-third of available capacity. Nearly 80 percent of international traffic to and from Bangladesh is handled by foreign carriers. Ground handling facilities are also inadequate to support growing airline demand.

Without parallel development of airports, airlines, and regulatory capacity, Bangladesh cannot fully benefit from the aviation market’s expansion.

What structural challenges must the new government address?

Aviation is a technology-intensive sector governed by strict global standards set under the ICAO Chicago Convention and its 19 Annexes. Bangladesh faces shortages of qualified aviation professionals and limited institutional understanding of aviation’s complexities.

Over the past 54 years, no comprehensive national aviation strategy has been formulated. Governance fragmentation and lack of coordination in multimodal transport planning have also constrained holistic airport development.

What reforms are needed to ensure the sustainability of airlines and regulation?

Many Bangladeshi airlines ceased operations due to insufficient understanding of aviation economics, weak long-term commitment, and inadequate policy support. Even Biman Bangladesh Airlines, despite extensive government backing, has yet to establish itself as consistently commercially viable.

The government should initiate reforms within Biman, including a feasibility study on management privatization versus restructured public ownership. CAAB’s regulatory functions must be fully independent and aligned with ICAO standards, while airport operations and maintenance should be institutionally separated. A joint committee should also explore policies to encourage new Bangladeshi airlines and retain aviation professionals.

In conclusion, what would successful implementation of an aviation hub mean for Bangladesh?

Aviation hub development is not merely an infrastructure project—it is a strategic national investment. It would allow Bangladesh to keep pace with regional economic growth, attract foreign investment, expand tourism, and integrate more effectively into the global economy. With strong political direction and coordinated execution, the opportunity is well within reach.