Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has called for investment- and passenger-friendly aviation regulations as Bangladesh moves to update its 42-year-old regulatory framework and develop the country into a regional aviation hub.
“After 42 years, we have gathered today to revise the Civil Aviation Regulation, 1984 and formulate the new Civil Aviation Regulations, 2026,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while chairing a meeting at the Secretariat to finalise the draft regulations, attended by senior government officials and representatives from public and private airlines.
Millat said the government was taking steps to attract more investment in the aviation sector, making it essential for the new rules to support business growth while improving passenger services, safety and security.
“Our new rules must therefore be business- and investment-friendly,” he said.
He urged airlines, as key stakeholders, to actively participate in shaping the regulations and suggest reforms needed to encourage investment.
The minister said the government would consider revising aircraft maintenance regulations to address the needs of private airlines and simplify procedures related to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.
He added that the new regulations would include provisions on Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) under the Cape Town Convention to protect aircraft financing and leasing rights.
Millat said Bangladesh also planned to establish an international-standard MRO facility to provide aircraft maintenance services for both domestic and foreign airlines.
“With your cooperation, we hope to achieve our goal of developing Bangladesh into an aviation hub,” he said.
The minister also called for quarterly fire safety drills at airport facilities and said procedures for establishing and expanding civil airports through private investment would be simplified.
US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Md Abdullah Al Mamun presented proposals on behalf of private airlines during the meeting, where participants discussed various provisions of the proposed regulations.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Fahmida Akhtar, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director Kaiser Sohel Ahmed, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Samimuzzaman and other government and private-sector representatives attended the meeting.
