IATA vows support to Bangladesh aviation, tourism development

Dhaka: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has assured full cooperation in developing Bangladesh's civil aviation sector, aligning with the current government's election manifesto.

IATA Regional Vice President Shejdon Hee made the pledge during a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Bangladesh Secretariat on August 3, read a release from the ministry.

The IATA official also expressed interest in helping upgrade the Bangladesh Airlines Technical Center (BATC), under Biman Bangladesh Airlines, into an internationally accredited, modern facility through technical cooperation.

Minister Khanam said the government has taken effective measures to curb ticket syndicates, adding that IATA's technical support would be valuable in this effort. She reiterated the administration's zero-tolerance stance against syndicates in the aviation sector.

State Minister Millat noted that a new clause on carbon emission reduction has been incorporated into the Civil Aviation Ordinance to protect the environment. He said the government is working toward ensuring Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) availability.

Millat further said necessary steps would be taken to adopt the Montreal Protocol 2014 to help curb crimes committed aboard aircraft.

The meeting also covered broader areas of future collaboration between the government and IATA, including plans to expand the country's tourism sector, strengthen international connectivity, and boost overall aviation capacity going forward.