Md Mazadul Hoque:

      

Recently, the country's aviation sector has become one of the fast growing sectors. The sector is rendering services around the world. Our national flag-holder carriers alongside privately-owned aviation companies have so far gained the ability of winning the passengers' heart. The air transports are now being adorned with world class facilities and modern amenities. The interiors as well as competitive services given to on board passengers had been possible due to initiatives taken by the government. The much-discussed aviation sector is contributing much to the economic growth of the country.  

Once upon a time, the sector was neglected. Gradually, its expansion began by a section of wealthy businessmen aiming to scale up profits. Truly, different air-crafts are continuously generating profit by carrying the middle-income group passengers. With increasing passengers, the sector has notably been emerged in the last couple of years. Obviously, this is a positive message for our economy.

The aircrafts have already obtained permission for operating at many international routes. But, the situation has been improved much. Mainly, the services provided to the onboard passengers have earned global reputation. Nevertheless, the service is now being expanded to a great extent hoping to get more appreciation. With a view to becoming competitive in the aviation market, the owners are in a race to woo customers by offering lucrative packages with accommodation facilities at home and abroad.

Due to rise per capita income, Bangladeshi-born people prefer to make journey by air. Increased income has enabled them to travel by air. Passengers are happy travelling with lower ticket fair that is comparable to luxurious buses. Even though, low-income group people are avoiding land routes due to severe tailback. To them, air is the best way to travel. 

That should be noted here that more new airports have been the key demand to the majority people. Nobody wants to waste time for travel purpose. Rather, they search alternative options to go from one place to another. Land routes have recently turned into death trap. Dissatisfaction among the travellers who use land routes is growing alarmingly. Air route has been the most liking to them. It is happy news that Saidpur airport is going to be a regional airport. Tourism-focused countries India and Nepal will get many Bangladeshi tourists. Economic cooperation would be tightened among neighbouring countries.   

It is a must say that our existing airports cannot win the heart of foreign travellers due to absence of modern facilities. Shahjalal International Airport located at the heart of Dhaka city lags behind many international airports. The exterior as well as the interiors of the airport makes the inbound and outbound passengers frustrated. So, infrastructural change is needed in order to keep pace with leading and largest airports of the world. 

There are huge opportunities to generate country's revenue if the modernization    works of the existing airports is completed promptly. But, it is a matter of grave concern that Cox's bazaar airport did not see the light of hope. No abroad flights fly from this airport.  The holidaymakers' express firm dissatisfaction for not finding international flights to Cox's bazar airport. The expected number of foreign tourists is rarely seen to move in the beach area.

Recently, India has given attention on aviation sector due to rush of passengers. Truly speaking, the country has gone a long way with introducing some new aircrafts. Indian air owners are now busy with launching cargo airs for wider business activities whereas we lag behind in creating confidence among air customers about safe journey. In respect of making debut carriers for cargo service at a large scale, there is seen no discussions among any entrepreneurs involved in aviation business. I think, there are huge opportunities of generating country's revenue by introducing new aircrafts.

Established in 1944, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN -based monitoring authority has been trying its level best to make the airline transport sector updated by ruling strategically inception its birth. According to ICAO data of 2001, airline schedule services alone carried about 1600 million passengers and moved about 30 million tonnes of freight and mail worldwide. Some 40 percent by value of the world's manufactured exports and over 45 percent of the more than 700 million international tourists were transported by air that year.

 

It is a matter of concern that airline passengers face troubles while on board in the sky. Also passengers are at times attacked, injured or killed by group of miscreants sometimes. The airline attack claimed many lives. In 2001, 2011, 2012 and 2014 around 3525, 35, 20 and 44 passengers were killed by air accident, ICAO website sources said. More over the number injured passengers are around 3217 in 2001, 152 in 2011, 40 in 2012, 334 in 2014, 403 in 2015 had been recorded by ICAO.

Based on above scenario, the aviation sector must be focused to attain customers' trust. Otherwise, the economy is set to lose a big chunk of revenue. Undoubtedly, the aviation sector is gathering momentum since sea routes discourage distant travellers. Worldwide sea routes have not yet touched land locked countries. So, there is no alternative to promote the aviation sector for carrying global passengers.

The authority has permitted half a dozen aircrafts to run their domestic and international operations.  The flights that carry abroad passengers are not up to the mark in terms of size, services and schedules. I think, within a few years the aviation sector would be the best alternative modes to travel. World class facilities must be enhanced in the airports zones for transit passengers. More international destinations might have been connected through effective diplomacy which would help our economy to be grown up. If proposed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport will be inaugurated soon, the aviation sector would be able to compete globally in many ways. To conclude, modernization of existing airports is required right now because many foreign investors have started coming Bangladesh aiming to run a business.