Bangladesh has officially launched work on its first-ever integrated National Civil Aviation Master Plan, a move aimed at setting long-term priorities and strategic direction for the country’s aviation sector for the next two to three decades.

On Sunday (June 21), a workshop titled "Civil Aviation Master Planning Overview" inaugurated the initiative at a hotel in the capital, Dhaka.

The workshop was organised by the ICAO GOLD-certified Civil Aviation Academy, Bangladesh, under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and with technical support from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The event was inaugurated by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam in the presence of State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat as a special guest. Fahmida Akhtar, secretary of the ministry of civil aviation and tourism, was also present.

The proposed master plan is to serve as a strategic roadmap for the development of the civil aviation sector of Bangladesh over the next 20 to 30 years or even longer, officials said.

The plan will cover a broad scope, including airport infrastructure development, modernisation of air navigation services, expansion of the airline industry, development of skilled human resources, improvements in aviation safety and security, and environmental sustainability.

In her address as chief guest, Afroza Khanam said the government was working to transform Bangladesh into one of South and Southeast Asia's leading aviation hubs by 2034, in line with its election manifesto, "Bangladesh First."

To that end, she said, several initiatives were being implemented, including expanding air connectivity across the country, upgrading major international airports into modern logistics and passenger transport centers and strengthening the operational capacity of both national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines and private airlines.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister Millat said ongoing projects—including the opening of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the development of Cox's Bazar Airport to international standards, and the construction of new airports—would help position Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.

He added that workshops of this nature would play an important role not only in infrastructure development but also in developing skilled human resources and formulating effective aviation policies.

In his remarks as chair of the event, CAAB Chairman said an integrated and long-term strategy was essential for establishing Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.

He said the recommendations and guidance emerging from the workshop would contribute to the sustainable development of the country's aviation sector while accelerating trade, tourism, and economic growth.

CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehbub Khan welcomed the workshop.

The keynote paper was delivered by ICAO expert Mohammed El Amiri, who spoke about international experience in the development of national aviation master plans and potential approaches for Bangladesh.

The programme was presided over by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq.

Currently, Bangladesh does not have a comprehensive national aviation development framework that incorporates all components of the sector into one long-term strategy, officials said.

The authorities have set a target to finalise the master plan in the next one to one-and-a-half years.

The workshop was attended by senior officials of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, representatives of the armed forces, the Planning and Finance ministries, airline executives, aviation experts, and other stakeholders.

The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to grow its aviation sector in response to rising passenger demand, increased international connectivity, and the need for coordinated long-term infrastructure planning.