Dhaka: The government is considering the idea of opening old airports that are currently shut down in an effort to promote smart aviation in the country, said Md Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism on March 2.

There are five airports in the country—Ishwardi, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Shamshernagar, and Cumilla—with immense air travel potential but are currently closed. To meet the growing demand for air travel in these areas and connect all parts of the country by air, the government has the move to open stalled airports under consideration, said the State Minister while addressing a seminar as the chief guest.

The seminar titled “Capacity building of international airports and opening of stalled domestic airports in Bangladesh” held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka was organised by the premier travel trade publication The Bangladesh Monitor with a view to promoting smart aviation in the country and was supported by Eastern Bank Ltd.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor of The Daily Observer attended the seminar as the guest of honour while the keynote paper was presented by Wg Cdr (Retd) ATM Nazrul Islam, Managing Director, United Airways (BD) Ltd.

The discussant panel included Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director, NOVOAIR and Air Cdr Dr Md Mahbub Zaman Khan, Director Corporate Training and Planning, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, among others.

Several local and foreign airline officials, regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders, and media representatives were also present on the occasion.

The session was presided over by Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and was moderated by Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor, Bangladesh Monitor. On behalf of EBL, Ziaul Karim, Head of Communications and External Affairs addressed the session with opening remarks.