Airlines push for policy action
Bangladesh’s aviation sector is facing increasing operational pressure, prompting industry leaders to urge stronger government support to sustain operations and ensure long-term growth.
The concerns were raised at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB), held in Dhaka on Saturday.
Presiding over the meeting, AOAB President Anjan Chowdhury emphasised the need for enhanced coordination among stakeholders to address ongoing challenges.
He described the sector as being in a critical phase, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to stabilise and strengthen the industry.
AOAB Secretary General and Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman outlined a series of challenges confronting private operators.
These include soaring jet fuel prices, high hangar rental costs, complex customs procedures, and increased regulatory fees imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
He said that the combination of rising costs and regulatory pressures has created a difficult operating environment for aviation companies, squeezing margins and affecting overall sustainability.
The pressure has been further intensified by recent fuel price hikes.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) increased jet fuel prices on 7 April for the third time in less than a month, significantly raising operational
expenses for airlines.
Industry stakeholders said the repeated price adjustments have had a cumulative and substantial impact on costs.
Representatives from major airlines and other industry stakeholders also attended the meeting, echoing calls for sustained policy support.
They stressed that cooperation from authorities, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Finance, would be essential for the sector’s stability and future recovery.
Speakers also welcomed the government’s decision to review certain provisions of the Bangladesh Travel Agency Act, describing it as a positive step towards greater stakeholder engagement and regulatory refinement.
AOAB leaders concluded that without coordinated reforms and consistent policy backing, the aviation sector may struggle to remain competitive in an increasingly challenging regional and global environment.
They warned that continued cost escalation, particularly in fuel and regulatory compliance, could further strain operators unless addressed through timely policy intervention and structural reform.
The meeting underscored a broad consensus within the industry that strategic government support, regulatory simplification, and cost stabilisation measures are essential to safeguard the future of Bangladesh’s aviation sector.
