Staff Reporter:
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam yesterday said that the government has set a target to transform Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport into a global aviation hub by incorporating of a modern, automated air traffic management (AATM) system.
She made the remark when inaugurated the newly built Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
“We are proudly inaugurating a state-of-the-art and automated air traffic management system, which will make our airspace safer, more efficient, and aligned with international standards,” she said.
Recalling the contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the minister said he laid the foundation of Bangladesh’s aviation sector by establishing Dhaka’s new international airport at Kurmitola in 1980.
“We want to transform Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport into a global aviation hub. With every-one’s cooperation, we will achieve this goal, Insha’Allah,” she added.
Speaking as special guest, State Minister Md. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the new ATM system would create significant opportunities for regional cooperation through integrated airspace management cover-ing a range of 350 nautical miles.
He said enhanced coordination with neighboring countries through information exchange would gradual-ly position Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.
Among others, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal M Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, and Thales Vice President Nicolas Bouverot, along with senior officials of the ministry and CAAB, were present at the event.
