Navigating the Skies: A Comprehensive Analysis of Bangladesh’s Aviation and Tourism Transformation (2026)
Infrastructure bottlenecks and policy gaps hinder the growth of Bangladesh’s potential regional aviation hub and global tourism destination.
The Bangladeshi aviation sector is currently at a critical junction, contributing approximately 1.2% to the national GDP. While the operationalization of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) Terminal 3 has significantly increased passenger capacity, research indicates that the sector still struggles with a “capacity-demand mismatch.” Current data suggests that despite the expansion, the airport handles nearly double its designed traffic, leading to systemic delays in landing and baggage reclamation.
A deep dive into recent research papers highlights that the primary obstacles are technical and administrative. The air traffic control (ATC) system maintains a 10-nautical-mile separation gap, which is significantly higher than global standards, resulting in “airborne holding” and increased fuel costs for airlines. Furthermore, the tourism sector remains underutilized due to a lack of international branding and a complex visa-on-arrival process, preventing the country from converting its geographic advantage into a sustainable economic engine.
To solve these challenges, experts recommend a transition toward “Smart Airport” management, incorporating biometric immigration and automated cargo handling to reduce transit times. Implementing a second runway at HSIA and upgrading Cox’s Bazar into a full-scale international gateway are vital steps. On the tourism front, experts suggest a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to improve infrastructure in zones like the Sundarbans and Sajek, alongside a simplified E-visa policy to attract high-value international travelers.
