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Dhaka: The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has amended the payment and surcharge structure for all aviation-related charges, including airport fees and charges for overflying Bangladesh’s airspace, introducing a significantly reduced penalty regime for delayed payments.
Under the revised directive, all charges must be paid to the Executive Director, Director, or Airport Manager of the concerned airport within 30 days from the date of submission of the bill.
If payment is delayed beyond the stipulated time, additional charges will now be imposed as follows:
- 31st to 60th day: 1 percent of the billed amount
- 61st to 120th day: 1.25 percent of the billed amount
- From the 121st day onward: 6 percent for every 120 days or part thereof until payment is made
Previously, a flat 6 percent monthly surcharge was imposed on unpaid bills, which could accumulate to as much as 72 percent annually, placing a heavy financial burden on airlines.
Airline representatives have long been demanding a substantial reduction in the surcharge rate, arguing that the earlier system was punitive and unsustainable, particularly during periods of financial stress in the aviation sector.
Industry insiders said, the latest amendment reflects a partial acceptance of those demands and brings Bangladesh’s penalty structure closer to international practices.
The revised policy applies to all charges, including landing, parking, navigation, and overflight fees, and is expected to ease cash-flow pressure on both domestic and international carriers operating in Bangladesh.
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