Bangladesh is set to launch its first cargo flight from Sylhet`s Osmani International Airport on Sunday, bolstering export logistics after India`s abrupt suspension of third-country transshipment.
"We are all set to launch the first freighter flight from Sylhet tomorrow, making it the second airport in Bangladesh to handle dedicated cargo operations after Dhaka," Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan told BSS today.
A chartered Airbus A330-300 freighter operated by Galistair Aviation is scheduled to depart Sunday evening, carrying 60 tonnes of readymade garments (RMG) to Spain while Biman Bangladesh Airlines will provide ground-handling services for the operation.
Bhuiyan said CAAB had completed all necessary preparations, including cargo check-in and security deployment, ahead of the inaugural flight.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin will attend the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest while Bangladesh Ambassador to Mexico M. Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan will be present as special guests.
CAAB Chairman Bhuiyan will chair the event before the freighter`s scheduled departure at 7:10 pm, which will be marked by a ceremonial water cannon salute.
"We have also invited the members of Sylhet`s business community to encourage them to export their products through Osmani International Airport," Bhuiyan said.
The CAAB chairman further revealed that air cargo operations from Chattogram`s Shah Amanat International Airport are expected to commence shortly, making it the third airport designated for cargo services.
Biman`s Director of Cargo Shakil Miraz confirmed that the national flag carrier has finalized preparations for the Sylhet operation. "We have transferred ground-handling equipment from Dhaka to Sylhet and are fully ready for the inaugural flight," he added.
The CAAB and Biman Bangladesh Airlines have also engaged in revising civil aviation and ground-handling tariffs to make air cargo services more cost-effective.
Bhuiyan said a task force, led by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and comprising all stakeholders, is likely to be formed soon to streamline and reduce cargo-related charges.
"We expect to announce reduced handling charges very soon," he added.
CAAB and Biman have also deployed additional manpower at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport`s (HSIA`s) cargo terminal to enhance capacity ahead of the opening of its Third Terminal.
"Our existing infrastructure will soon be capable of handling two to three times more cargo volume. Meanwhile, Sylhet`s newly upgraded cargo terminal already has significant handling capacity," Bhuiyan said.
With HSIA`s long-anticipated Third Terminal nearing completion, officials are optimistic that the modern facility will reduce dependency on regional transit hubs and significantly bolster Bangladesh`s export competitiveness.
The Third Terminal is expected to raise Bangladesh`s export cargo capacity from 200,000 tonnes to 546,000 tonnes annually, featuring a 36,000-square-metre dedicated cargo zone.
"Automated systems and expanded storage at the new terminal will enable independent and efficient cargo operations, ultimately boosting revenue," the CAAB Chairman said.
India`s decision earlier this month to revoke a four-year arrangement allowing Bangladeshi goods-- mostly garments-- to transit via Indian airports like Kolkata and Delhi has placed significant strain on Bangladeshi exporters.
The arrangement, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, became a critical logistics route, offering faster and often cheaper alternatives to the overburdened HSIA.
According to Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), nearly 600 tonnes or 18 percent of Bangladesh`s weekly garment air exports were routed via India.
Bangladesh currently exports around 3,400 tonnes of garments by air each week while HSIA`s cargo village-- originally designed for 300 tonnes per day-- frequently handles more than 1,200 tonnes during the peak periods.
Biman`s passenger flights currently account for 16-17 percent of HSIA`s annual cargo volume of approximately 175,000 tonnes. Biman also provides ground-handling services to several major foreign carriers.
Currently, major airlines such as Emirates, one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines operate dedicated cargo flights exclusively out of the HSIA.
