Bangladesh moves into advanced era of sky monitoring

Bangladesh has entered a new phase in aviation safety and airspace management with the launch of a state-of-the-art air traffic management system at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, significantly expanding surveillance coverage over both national airspace and the Bay of Bengal.

For decades, Bangladesh lacked full control over its skies, leaving gaps in monitoring and causing revenue losses from overflying aircraft. The newly installed radar and navigation system now allows the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to track all aircraft movements with precision, ensuring improved safety and increased revenue collection.

The modern system was inaugurated on April 20 by Civil Aviation Minister Afroza Khanam, who described it as a major milestone in the country’s aviation sector.

Officials said the previous radar system was outdated and unable to fully monitor large portions of the Bay of Bengal, allowing neighbouring countries to benefit from coverage gaps. With the new system in place, Bangladesh can now effectively monitor its entire airspace and extend services to international airlines using regional routes.

Built at a cost of Tk 942 crore, the advanced air traffic management centre enables surveillance up to 200 nautical miles from Dhaka, while integration with Chattogram radar extends coverage up to 350 nautical miles over the Bay. Communication capabilities have also improved, allowing contact with aircraft up to 450 nautical miles away.

The system incorporates cutting-edge technologies including Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), multilateration, advanced communication networks and automated control systems, ensuring real-time data access and faster decision-making for air traffic controllers.

According to aviation experts, the upgrade will not only enhance safety but also boost revenue by enabling the government to fully collect overflight charges from foreign airlines. Bangladesh’s strategic geographic position between South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East make its airspace a critical transit corridor for international aviation.

Aviation analyst Kazi Wahidul Alam said the old radar had long lost its effectiveness, and the new system marks a turning point. “This upgrade ensures seamless monitoring and will significantly increase revenue collection while improving operational safety,” he noted.
Air Commodore Md Noor-e-Alam, Member (ATM) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), highlighted the strategic importance of the development, saying the system has opened new opportunities for revenue generation while extending control over deep-sea airspace.

CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddique said the previous air traffic control infrastructure was decades old and no longer compatible with modern aviation demands. “The installation of an advanced, technology-driven system was essential to ensure efficient and internationally compliant airspace management,” he said.

The project, implemented with technical support from French company Thales Group, was approved in 2019 and completed in December 2025 under a government-to-government arrangement.

Industry insiders say the new system aligns Bangladesh more closely with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization and strengthens its position in regional aviation networks, including improved coordination with Kolkata and Yangon air traffic systems.

Despite the technological breakthrough, the project has also drawn scrutiny. The Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case last year over alleged irregularities involving Tk 200 crore in the radar installation project, naming several former officials and private sector representatives.

Still, experts believe the operational benefits of the system far outweigh past controversies. With full airspace coverage now in place, Bangladesh is poised to enhance aviation safety, strengthen regional connectivity and unlock new revenue streams in the rapidly growing global aviation sector.