BSS :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said Bangladesh would be an international aviation hub as she made “soft opening” of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka.
“Bangladesh’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport or Cox’s Bazar International Airport will be the international aviation hub for its geographical location,” she said while partially inaugurating the terminal unveiling a plaque at a HSIA function.
The premier said once Hong Kong was the international aviation hub and Singapore later replaced Hong Kong and now Dubai has become the new aviation hub.
“I believe Bangladesh will be the international aviation hub as it is in between air routes of the East and the West.
The global airlines will land either at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport or Cox’s Bazar International Airport for refueling,” she said.
The prime minister said her government is upgrading the aviation sector to make Bangladesh a global aviation hub in future.
Sheikh Hasina said the third terminal with modern facilities will help expand international air connectivity.
The air link will boost international trade, commerce and business significantly for which her government has given utmost priorities to the development of the aviation sector, she also said.
She said all the major airports like Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Sylhet, Chattogram, Sayedpur, Jashore and Barishal and Rajshahi airports are being expanded and modernized.
Apart from these, steps have also been taken for inter-district air connectivity to flourish tourism, she said.
About modernization of the aviation sector, she said the government is going to set up new radar system to ensure safety and security for airways and France has been assigned to do that.
The premier said they have already started installing pipeline to bring jet fuel directly to the HSIA which will save time and money alongside protecting the environment.
She said they will build another runway in future in the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport if required.
“None have made such a huge development in the aviation sector in the past,” she added.
She said they have prepared a master plan to ensure improved services at the airports for which consultants have already been appointed.
The premier hoped that Bangladesh will step into the moon like the neighboring countries one day.
She said her government had established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) in Lalmonirhat which will help do so.
She said BNP and like minded governments did nothing for the welfare of the country and its people during their tenure.
She said after her party Awami League assumed office, the people of Bangladesh had started getting something and Bangladesh has become role model for development in the last 15 years of the current government.
