Bangabandhu was the pioneer of Bangladesh’s aviation industry. Biman Bangladesh Airlines was formed on 4 January 1972, just eighteen days after the victory in the war of liberation. Exactly one month later, Biman Bangladesh operated its first commercial flight on 4 February 1972. Since then Biman Bangladesh has been flying in the skies of Bengal. Both private and national airlines have been operating flights beyond the country's borders.
Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are the two sides of the same coin. After independence, Bangabandhu took just three and a half years to reform the war-ravaged country. He laid the foundation of Bangladesh in a very short time. This year the country is celebrating its fifty years of independence, but most of the policies on which Bangladesh is still governed was formed by Bangabandhu.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines started its journey with the order No. 126 by the President at that time. However, Tejgaon Airport was the only international airport we had in place during time of formation of Bangladesh where the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from Pakistan prison on January 10, 1972.
Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are the two sides of the
same coin. After independence, Bangabandhu took just
three and a half years to reform the war-ravaged country
In the pre-war period, an international airport was under construction at Kurmitola. During the war of liberation, Kurmitola airport was damaged by a bomb fired by Pakistani forces. But Bangabandhu was a visionary of the future. He always got to see the future of Bangladesh. In building this Bangladesh, he gave priority to the country's drawing room airport. The war-torn Kurmitola Airport was rebuilt into an international airport.
Today, the country's state-owned airline Biman Bangladesh Airlines has 21 modern aircraft. Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been adding new more aircraft to materialise Bangabandhu's dream. The Prime Minister is working to make Bangabandhu's dream a reality.
Bangabandhu focused on rebuilding the airport as a priority to give a strong foundation to the country's economy. Following this, work is underway to expand the third terminal for the modernization of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. People at all levels think that this is one of the largest projects in the country after independence through which the country's air transport infrastructure will become much stronger. Not only Dhaka but also Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet are operating in full swing. Cox's Bazar Airport and Saidpur Airport will soon become two international airports. In addition, work is underway to modernize other airports in the country.
Bangabandhu gave importance to the government as well as private business in building a strong economic infrastructure. In this context, today US-Bangla Airlines, NovoAir are flying in the skies of Bengal. Bangabandhu's future vision was that mountains, plains, seas and countless rivers and historical monuments scattered all over the country would one day become a sanctuary for tourists. In this context, along with aviation, tourism has also been given importance. He formed Bangladesh Tourism Corporation in 1973.
Following the dream of the Father of the Nation, we have got a solid foundation in air transport in Bangladesh. A well-organized civil aviation authority, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has a special role.
In order to make Bangabandhu's dream a reality, Akash Paribahan attaches special importance to reach the pinnacle of development through proper planning.
Our aviation industry needs to move forward to maintain dynamism and provide passengers with world class facilities.
Md. Kamrul Islam is General Manager - Public Relations, US-Bangla Airlines.