Serving People.
Moving Bangladesh
Forward.

The first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism of the 13th National Parliament has been held.

Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 10 new aircraft. M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, the Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest. Under this agreement, 10 Airbus aircraft are being added to the Bangladesh Airlines fleet. Our goal is to build a robust and sustainable airline network by adopting a long-term fleet plan that takes into account market demand and route potential.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, held a meeting with Mr. Anis Matta, Deputy Foreign Minister of Indonesia.

World Tourism Day 2026 Discussion Meeting and Bangladesh Tourism Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony Theme: Tourism of the Future through Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Chief Guest: Mr. M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP Minister, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026 Venue: Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, Agargaon, Dhaka.

The ‘Airport Emergency Exercise (Fire)-2026’ was held today, Monday (October 5, 2026), at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The primary objective of the drill was to conduct a realistic simulation of firefighting, passenger rescue, and evacuation operations following an aircraft accident. Simultaneously, the exercise aimed to enhance the skills and professional knowledge of the airport's fire crews, verify the operational readiness of firefighting equipment, and ensure a coordinated and rapid response among the various agencies involved. Organizing such full-scale emergency drills at regular intervals is mandatory under the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Section 16.2.5.2 of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme. These drills serve to evaluate the coordination, preparedness, and operational effectiveness of various agencies during emergency situations. Participants in the drill included officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, as well as the Bangladesh Air Force, APBn, Traffic Division (Uttara), Ansar, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital, Medical College for Women, Jahanara Clinic Limited, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and other relevant agencies. Mr. M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, Honorable Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, attended the event as the chief guest and observed the entire exercise. Mr. S. M. Jahangir Hossain, Honorable Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-18 constituency, was also present at the event. Group Captain S. M. Ragib Samad, PSC, GD(P), Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, delivered the welcome address at the beginning of the event. The program was presided over by Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, BSP, GUP, NDC, AFWC, ACSC, PSC, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). The exercise was also witnessed by the Air Base Commanders of BAF Bases 'AK Khandaker' and 'Bashar'; members of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB); senior officers from the Air Force, Army, and Navy; representatives from various agencies operating at the airport; senior officials from Biman Bangladesh Airlines; the Chairman of the Airlines Operating Committee; and guests from the Fire Service and Civil Defence as well as Uttara Jahanara Clinic Limited. The simulated scenario presented during the exercise depicted a passenger aircraft—carrying 98 passengers and 5 crew members en route from Bangkok to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport—notifying the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower of a fire in its right engine just moments before landing. ATC immediately declared an emergency and informed the Airport Executive Director and all relevant emergency service agencies. Following the activation of the Airport Emergency Plan, all emergency response agencies prepared to rush to the scene. The airside scenario further showed that during the emergency landing, the aircraft failed to maintain the runway centerline; it overshot the designated landing zone and continued moving forward at high speed. At one point, it veered off the runway to the left, crossed Taxiway Sierra, and came to a halt on the southern side of the runway. Immediately after the accident, a fire broke out in the undercarriage of the aircraft, and within a short time, the flames engulfed the entire plane. Subsequently, airport fire services, air traffic control, rescue teams, law enforcement agencies, medical service providers, and other relevant bodies worked in coordination to extinguish the fire, rescue passengers, administer first aid, evacuate individuals to safety, and manage post-accident emergency operations. The exercise successfully demonstrated the coordinated efforts of various agencies, their rapid response capabilities, and a realistic practice of the airport's emergency preparedness. In his address as the chief guest, Honorable Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, began by congratulating and thanking the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and all participating agencies for the successful completion of the 'Airport Emergency Exercise-2026.' He stated that fire safety and the capability to handle emergency situations are fundamental pillars in establishing a modern and safe aviation hub. Referencing the fire incident at the airport's import cargo complex last year, he emphasized that ensuring airport security is a top priority for the current government. He mentioned that the National Civil Aviation Security Committee—the highest policy-making body—has been formed to further strengthen security within the country's aviation sector. Highlighting the importance of the upcoming ICAO audit, he directed officials to ensure necessary compliance regarding potential areas of scrutiny. He also stressed that airport security protocols must be strictly adhered to by everyone, including VIPs and CIPs. Noting that the flight of unauthorized drones in the airport area poses a security risk, he announced plans to install an anti-drone system. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of maintaining an adequate stock of essential security equipment and scanners. Honorable Member of Parliament Mr. S. M. Jahangir Hossain stated that such realistic exercises are crucial for assessing the security and emergency preparedness of an international airport. He noted that these exercises serve to evaluate existing readiness and capabilities while identifying areas requiring further improvement.

Government Keen to Collaborate with Lufthansa to Advance the Country's Aviation Hub: Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister in Courtesy Meeting October 6, 2026 (Tuesday), Dhaka A Lufthansa delegation, led by German Ambassador to Bangladesh Rüdiger Lotz, paid a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat at his office today at 12:00 PM. Discussions during the meeting covered air connectivity between the two nations, the development of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and various matters of mutual interest. The Minister stated that there are significant opportunities to further expand cooperation in the civil aviation sector based on the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Germany. As Lufthansa is a globally renowned aviation entity, there is scope for the company to invest in establishing Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to support the advancement of the country's aviation hub. Furthermore, Lufthansa could collaborate on developing skilled human resources locally. Additionally, the 'High-Risk Cargo & Mail' (HRCM) status imposed by the European Union on cargo arriving in the country since 2017 remains in effect. Since the current government assumed office, measures have been taken to address all observations raised. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Osmani International Airport recently achieved ratings exceeding 90 percent in security audits; therefore, the government seeks Germany's cooperation regarding the withdrawal of the HRCM designation. The Minister mentioned that the government is working to finalize an agreement to purchase ten Airbus aircraft for the development of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. However, he emphasized the urgency of expediting the delivery schedule, stressing the importance of commencing Airbus deliveries before 2030. During the meeting, both parties expressed interest in deepening existing bilateral ties, enhancing air connectivity, and expanding mutual cooperation in the tourism sector. Concluding the meeting, the Minister welcomed the German Ambassador and his delegation, expressing optimism that the mutual cooperation between the two countries would become even more extensive and fruitful in the future.