Dhaka, Riyadh to agree on aviation cooperation

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has emphasised the need to expand teamwork with Saudi Arabia in civil aviation while strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya led a delegation in a meeting with the minister at his office at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism in the Bangladesh Secretariat at 2pm on October 1.

The meeting discussed aviation connectivity, transportation of Hajj pilgrims, the Air Services Agreement (ASA) between the two countries and other issues of mutual interest.

Millat said there was significant opportunity to extend civil aviation cooperation based on the existing harmonious relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

He mentioned a memorandum of understanding had already been signed with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to increase the number of weekly flights between the two countries.

The taxes and charges imposed on Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims received particular attention during the meeting.
The two sides also discussed Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ plans for Hajj flights in 2027. Biman has applied to the relevant Saudi authorities for slots to operate three daily flights on the Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka route from March 28 to October 30, 2027.

Progress on the Air Services Agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia was also reviewed.
Millat said the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) was currently preparing the draft agreement. Once the draft is finalised, the process of signing the agreement will begin.

He said, however, that an initiative could be taken to launch direct flights from Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram to Dammam.

The meeting also discussed an interest by a GACA delegation, led by its Vice President Ali Mohammed Rajab, to visit Dhaka to inspect CAAB’s overall preparations ahead of the Hajj season.