Travellers take to skies to escape traffic chaos

City Desk:

In a country where congested roads and punishing traffic often define everyday travel, a new mode of movement is quietly soaring in popularity, literally.

Helicopter services, once a symbol of luxury and reserved for high-profile government or military use, are now becoming a practical and sought-after choice among Bangladesh’s business elite, upper-middle class and experience-driven tourists, says UNB.

From the skies above Dhaka’s chaotic streets to the serene landscapes of Cox’s Bazar and the Sundarbans, private helicopter charters are carving out a new path in domestic transport.

The rise is more than symbolic as it reflects a shift in the aspirations and expectations of modern travellers in Bangladesh.

“Due to severe traffic jams and the increasing need to save time, helicopters are becoming a viable alternative, especially for the elite,” said an official from one of the country’s leading helicopter service providers.

Today, the country is home to a growing number of private helicopter operators, including Probashir Helicopter, Meghna Aviation, Square Air, Bashundhara Airways, and Impress Aviation, offering tailored charter services.

A few other companies, such as Sikder Group and South Asian Airlines, currently remain grounded, their helicopters inactive for various operational reasons.

The growth has not gone unnoticed by regulators. Since the early 2000s, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has licensed around a dozen non-scheduled helicopter operators and the number continues to rise steadily.

Hiring a helicopter in Bangladesh is still a high-end affair, but increasingly within reach for affluent families or corporate clients.

A round trip from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar can cost anywhere between Tk 2.5 lakh to Tk 4 lakh, depending on aircraft type and availability. Shorter trips, such as to Narayanganj, Cumilla, or Munshiganj, range from Tk 80,000 to Tk 1.5 lakh.

Beyond leisure and business, helicopters are also serving critical functions: Emergency medical evacuations, disaster response, survey work, and film production are among the rising non-tourism demands. Meanwhile, a growing number of families are now booking helicopters for weddings, family events, and even quick visits to remote hometowns.