Staff Reporter:
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has urged Türkiye to consider launching direct flights from Chattogram and Sylhet to improve international connectivity and meet growing travel demand among expatriate Bangladeshis.
The minister made the proposal during a meeting with a Turkish delegation led by Türkiye’s Ambassa-dor to Bangladesh Ramis Şen at his office in the ministry yesterday.
Millat specifically called for direct air connections with Türkiye from Shah Amanat International Air-port in Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, according to a ministry press release.
He said a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis, particularly those originating from Chattogram and Sylhet, have significant international travel requirements.
Introducing flights from these two airports would make international travel more convenient and strengthen people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and Türkiye, he said.
The Turkish delegation also included Bilal Belyurt, Commercial Counselor at the Turkish Embassy, and Islam Gure, Country Director of Turkish Airlines in Bangladesh.
Expansion of bilateral air connectivity featured prominently during the meeting, with the minister also welcoming Türkiye’s interest in increasing Turkish Airlines’ flight frequencies on the Dhaka-Istanbul route.
Turkish Airlines currently operates seven weekly flights between Dhaka and Istanbul, while the Turkish side has expressed interest in introducing three additional weekly services.
Millat said the opening of the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would create greater opportunities for expanding international flight operations.
He emphasised that stronger aviation links would facilitate trade, investment, tourism and exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.
Welcoming the delegation, the minister described Bangladesh-Türkiye relations as historic and friendly, saying there is considerable scope for expanding cooperation in aviation, tourism, culture and people-to-people exchange.
Millat said the government has undertaken initiatives to develop 1,498 tourist attractions across Bangla-desh under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
He invited Turkish investors to explore the opportunities in developing tourism infrastructure, improving destination management and enhancing hospitality services.
The minister said Türkiye’s experience in tourism development and hospitality could make an important contribution to Bangladesh’s efforts to build an internationally competitive tourism industry.
Visa facilitation for Bangladeshi nationals was another major issue discussed during the meeting.
Millat stressed the importance of simplifying visa procedures to promote business travel, tourism and closer people-to-people relations.
He said greater mobility between the two countries would help deepen bilateral relations and open up new avenues of economic cooperation.
The minister called for effective initiatives by both countries to ease visa procedure and facilitate greater exchange.
Both sides expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in aviation, tourism, investment and people-to-people connectivity.
Millat reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with Türkiye, expressing optimism that expanded aviation and tourism cooperation would bring tangible ben-efits to the peoples of both countries.
