Chattogram: President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Mohammed Amirul Haque has written to Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury seeking a range of measures, including concessional tariffs and transit and refueling facilities, to unlock the full potential of Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the letter sent to the minister on August 15 outlines several proposals from the CCCI president for the airport’s development. These include round-the-clock operations, a 40 percent concessional tariff on airport facilities, permissions for passenger take-on and drop-off during stopovers of long flights, and the establishment of transit and refueling arrangements for long-haul flights. Additionally, the development of cargo villages, as well as an Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Container Freight Station (CFS) facility in the adjoining area of the airport, is suggested.
Amirul Haque emphasized that private businesses are prepared to undertake the necessary infrastructure development under Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Build-Own-Operate (BOO), and Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) arrangements. He assured that the business community is ready to support the government’s vision of transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034, positioning Chattogram as a regional investment and logistics hub.
He highlighted Chattogram’s existing role as a major commercial and investment center in Bangladesh, housing the principal seaport, key wholesale markets, large export processing zones, special economic zones, and numerous industrial establishments. However, despite having the country’s second-largest international airport, Chattogram airport’s capacity remains underutilized compared to the region’s economic activities.
The CCCI chief argued that the airport could handle more passenger and cargo traffic and attract additional transit and connecting flights. Developing Chattogram airport as an east-west aviation gateway and a bridging point for tourism and logistics could alleviate pressure on Dhaka-centric aviation traffic.
Drawing parallels with the government’s initiatives at Mongla Port, which include setting tariffs below those charged at Chattogram port, Amirul suggested a similar approach for Chattogram airport. He stressed the need for a lucrative stimulus package or concessional tariff to maximize the airport’s capacity and potential, thereby attracting more passengers and cargo traffic.