Bangladesh to independently modernize Saidpur Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has stated that India will not be involved in the modernization of Saidpur Airport. 

Despite India's expressed interest, the interim government is in discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to modernize the airport, with the goal of enhancing regional air connectivity and establishing potential cargo transport links in the future. At a press briefing on Thursday, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan shared updates on the airport’s development and confirmed ongoing talks with ADB regarding the modernization of three airports, including Saidpur. 

The chairman highlighted that several countries have shown interest in assisting with airport improvements to enhance passenger and cargo services for neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. Responding to queries about India's involvement, he remarked, “We want to build it ourselves.” 

The estimated cost of the project includes Tk5,000 crore for land acquisition and an additional Tk5,000 crore for terminal and infrastructure upgrades. 

In 2023, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma had expressed interest in financing new airport construction in Bangladesh, offering support in aviation training, capacity enhancement, and funding through Indian lines of credit. Verma also raised concerns about delays in Saidpur Airport’s expansion, which Bangladesh initially planned to execute with Indian financing. 

However, diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India have cooled since the departure of Sheikh Hasina’s government. As a result, Bangladesh is now engaging with Germany for the expansion and modernization of Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong. 

Saidpur Airport, operational as a domestic airport since 1979, currently handles around 30 daily flights on the Dhaka-Saidpur-Dhaka route. However, its runway requires an extension to 12,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft and transform it into a regional hub. Financial constraints have hindered this expansion, according to CAAB sources.

Recently, the terminal's capacity was increased to accommodate around 700 additional passengers, with a Tk300 crore investment. The government has reaffirmed its intention to develop Saidpur into a regional airport to serve neighboring countries, particularly landlocked Nepal and Bhutan.

In 2022, Kathmandu proposed establishing regional air connections between Dhaka, Saidpur, and Biratnagar, coupled with visa-on-arrival facilities. CAAB officials revealed that earlier efforts to upgrade the airport with Indian credit faced delays due to land acquisition challenges. Indian diplomats had also proposed revising the air services agreement to restore connections with northeastern Indian cities and resume Guwahati-Dhaka air services.

In December 2022, Indian High Commissioner Verma met then Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen to advocate for direct flights between Guwahati and Sylhet, emphasizing the need to improve regional air connectivity.