The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has decided to exempt private domestic airlines from aeronautical fees charged for landing and takeoff by their aircraft at Bangladeshi airports.
‘The decision has been taken following persistent demands from private domestic airlines,’ minister Faruk Khan told bdnews24.com.The airlines pay two kinds of fees to the Civil Aviation Authority — aeronautical fees for landing and taking off by aircraft and non-aeronautical fees for accessing hangar and parking.
‘It is to save the industry and these airlines will now be able to cut down operating costs,’ Khan said.
He said the non-aeronautical fees were not being withdrawn at this moment.
Asked if the government had plans to offer subsidy or special incentives to the private airline sector, Khan said the government was not in a position to provide any such incentives.
Those related with the private aviation in Bangladesh had been demanding ‘special incentives’ since six of the nine domestic airlines operating had shut down over the past 15 years having incurred losses consistently.
The minister was quick to blame the past governments for not taking appropriate measures to save the industry.
Since 1996, nine private airlines launched commercial operations in Bangladesh. Of them, only three – Regent Airways, United Airways and Novo Air – are still in business.
The remaining six – Aero Bengal, Air Parabat, Royal Bengal, Air Bangladesh, GMG Airlines and Best Air – had closed down.
United Airways managing director Tasbirul Islam welcomed the decision. ‘There is a lot of competition in the private aviation sector. The government should have a strong infrastructure.’
He urged the government to waive off the non-aeronautical fees for the private domestic airlines.
-With New Age input
