CAAB urges air cargo charge reduction

Dhaka : To bolster the country's air cargo capacity following India's transshipment facility suspension, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has recommended the Ministry for reducing key charges for landing, parking, and ground handling at Bangladesh's airports.

Reports cited a senior CAAB official said on May 21 that the set of recommendations, submitted on May 19, include slashing landing, parking, and ground-handling fees of Biman Bangladesh Airlines-the sole ground handler-with the aim of making air cargo services more cost-effective and resilient amid external disruptions.

"As per directives from the highest level, we have proposed adjustments to make cargo operations smoother and cheaper. The final decision now rests with the ministry," said reports citing an official.

He said, the recommendations were developed following consultations with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

The move is part of a broader government strategy to expand air cargo infrastructure and streamline operations after India abruptly revoked a four-year arrangement that allowed Bangladeshi goods, primarily garments, to be transported by land for onward air shipment via Indian airports such as Kolkata and Delhi.

Earlier, Commerce and Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin stated that the government had taken all necessary steps to tackle the challenges stemming from India's decision, including revising tariffs to bring down logistics costs.

CAAB Chairman Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan echoed the government's resolve, saying that both CAAB and Biman are jointly implementing extensive measures to ensure uninterrupted cargo movement.