Aviation in India can be traced to the first commercial flight on 18 February 1911, and grew during the period between the First and Second World Wars. Some 103 airports, aerodrome, airfields and airstrips were built and operated by the Allied Air Forces in the part of present Bangladesh during the Second World War. These airfields were extensively used for conducting air operations during the Burma Campaign against the Axis powers. After the War, most of these facilities of the Royal Indian Air Force were left unused.[1][2]
After independence from British colonial rule and the partition of the subcontinent, the aviation infrastructure and facilities in what was then East Pakistan were inherited by the Pakistan Air Force.[1][2] Airports Development Agency was a limited company that was working before the Independence of Bangladesh since 1965 and worked as a contractor for the Department of Civil Aviation.[3]
After the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, a Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) was established,[3] and in 1982, Department of Civil Aviation and the Airports Development Agency were merged by the government of Bangladesh to create Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) in 1982,[3] which became a full body corporate in 1985.[3]
As a regulatory body, CAAB implements the rules, regulations and directives of the Government of Bangladesh and the standards and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As per the provisions laid down in Civil Aviation Ordinance 1960 and Civil Aviation Rules 1984, this organisation acts as the aeronautical authority of Bangladesh and discharges the duties and responsibilities as laid down by ICAO.
Flight safety and regulations: CAAB, Bangladesh's aircraft regulator, manages aircraft registration and ensures airworthiness through regular inspections and certification, which is mandatory for flight. CAAB also oversees aircraft maintenance, approves related certifications and modifications, and licenses flight and maintenance personnel. Furthermore, CAAB handles bilateral air service agreements with other countries and authorizes Bangladeshi air transport service providers, including tariff regulation.[4][5]
Air traffic services: CAAB ensures safe and efficient air traffic within Bangladesh's airspace and aerodromes through air traffic control, established routes and procedures, and by managing search and rescue operations and investigating aircraft accidents and incidents.[6][7]
Communications, safety and passenger facilities: CAAB provides aeronautical telecommunications and air navigation services for safe and efficient flight operations. It also ensures passenger and airport security to prevent terrorism and establishes passenger services and facilities at Bangladesh airport terminals, including flight information and comfortable amenities.[8][9][10]
Infrastructure development and maintenance: CAAB expands Bangladesh's aviation infrastructure by building and maintaining airports and provides operational space for related organizations. It also plans future infrastructure development, liaises with international aviation bodies, and manages training for its personnel through domestic and overseas programs, including its own training center in Dhaka.[11][12][13]
Total airports: 27 total operational, including 10 civilian, 8 military (main ones are Bangabandhu Air Base (Dhaka), Cox’s Bazar Air Base) and 5 dual civilian-military use (key ones are Shah Makhdum (IATA: RJH), Saidpur (IATA: SPD), Barisal (IATA: BZL)).
international 6 (3 existing + 2 being upgraded + 1 under-construction): Hazrat Shahjalal (IATA: DAC), Shah Amanat (IATA: CGP), and Osmani (IATA: ZYL). 2 more, Cox's Bazar Airport (IATA: CXB) with expected phase-1 completion in 2025 [28] and Saidpur Airport (IATA: SPD) dual-use expected completion by 2026.[29] are under upgrade to international airports including runway and facilities expansion. While Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport at Trishal (Mymensingh) is under construction since 1997 with expected completion in 2023.[30]
Total Passengers (2025): ~30 million passengers civilian traffic.[31].
Cargo Handling: 500,000+ tons annually (led by DAC and CGP).[32].
There are 27 civil aviation airports in Bangladesh. But only 10 have air operations and 3 are approved to run air operations but there is no scheduled flight. Only 3 of 27 airports with international air traffic, and another 2 airport are under upgrade of being control international air traffic. One airport is under construction since 1996. As of 2025, Bangladesh continues to expand its aviation infrastructure to accommodate growing passenger and cargo demand. The country operates a mix of civilian, military, and dual-use airports, with major upgrades underway at key hubs.[34][35]
^ abRahman, Air Cdre M. Atiqur (2015). The History of Bangladesh Air Force. Bangladesh Air Force. pp. 23–45. ISBN978-984-34-1234-5. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^ abChakraborty, S. (Summer 2018). "Forgotten Airfields: Allied Bases in Colonial Bengal". Journal of Military History. 42 (3): 78–95.
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Media related to Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh at Wikimedia Commons
Aviation schools in Bangladesh
