The first-ever international-standard Heliport Terminal is being built over 100-bighas of land at Kaola, near Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in the capital.
In accordance with the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build this international standard Heliport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has already appointed the advisor for the proposed construction of the terminal.
CAAB sources informed, the International standard Heliport terminal to be constructed at a cost of Taka 500 crore will hold 80-helicopter at a time. It will be constructed at the own land of CAAB at the southern part of railway track near the Goal Chattar of the airport.
According to the aviation experts to save time and to avoid road jam, well off businessmen, film producers, hospital owners and foreign investors are searching an alternative way. For meeting their personal requirement, the shooting of cinema, participating in the political meeting, transporting of patients, attending to the Board meetings of various companies and movement in Dhaka, the helicopter is being used as a vehicle of transport. During every flying in such a helicopter, it is necessary to procure permission from the CAAB. But, after the construction of the Heliport, there will be no more necessary to procure permission during every flight.
CAAB informed, at present, nine organisations of the country have their Helicopter licences. These organisations have 27 helicopters. Several more companies have applied for the licenses. The R&R Airlines, one of the largest Helicopter Services commercially in Bangladesh operates seven Helicopters owned by Shikder Group. It also operates several sophisticated Air Ambulances to carry emergency patients abroad. Moreover, South Asian Air Lines operates four helicopters, Bashundhara Group, Meghna Group and Square Group operate three helicopters each, BRB cables, Impress Aviation and MAS Bangladesh operate two helicopters each and PHP Group and Bangla International operate one helicopter each. Of these, R&R, BRB cables, Bangla International and PHP group have their hangers in Shah Jalal International Airport.
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