Sylhet Bureau

If the Sylhet Osmani airport is international not only in name but in real sense, the door of immense potential can be opened in this region.

The demand for the lives of the people of Sylhet is immediate and the government should come forward to fulfill the expectations of the people of the larger region by transforming Sylhet Osmani International Airport into a real international airport.

British lawyer, constitutional expert, social thinker Barrister Nazir Ahmad made this claim in a press conference at Sylhet Press Club on Saturday.

He mentioned in the press conference-Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport is the third largest airport in Bangladesh. It was established during the British rule. One of the main reasons for the establishment was to resist Japanese aggression. First the name was Sylhet Airport. After independence it was named after General (retd) Ataul Gani Osmani, Commander-in-Chief of Sylhet's Christian Liberation War. It was named Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport in 2002 after expanding the airport and runway.

Although the Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport is international, it does not seem to be what it means to be an international airport. If it was a true international airport, flights of multinational airlines (such as: Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Jet Airways, Saudi Airlines etc.) would have flown in or landed directly from Sylhet. There are no international flights here except for a few flights to the UK and the Middle East.

Barrister Nazir said in the press conference, "We have been hearing for a long time that the runway here will be expanded, the refueling system will be introduced here, but there is no goodwill in this regard from the previous government." Not observed. Barrister Nazir also mentioned in the press conference, Larnaca airport in Cyprus, Rimini airport in Rimini city in Italy, Entebbe airport in Uganda, a poor country in Africa-none of them are that big. I have seen it with my own eyes - it is much smaller than Osmani Airport in Sylhet, but if all types of international aircraft can land there, why can't Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport? The largest international airport in the United Kingdom and one of the busiest and largest international airports in the world is Heathrow Airport, which is located on the outskirts of London. However, there are three fully international airports Gatwick, Stansted and Luton within 50/60 miles of London. However, within London City itself there is an airport called London City Airport which is half of Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport.

London City Airport's runway length is only 4948 feet and Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport's runway length is 9646 feet. However, flights from London City Airport to Europe, the Middle East, and even America.

In 2018, 5,33208 passengers traveled through Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport. On the other hand, London City Airport received 30,09,313 passengers in 2022. In other words, Sylhet MAG Osmani airport has six times more passengers than our airport in that airport full of international facilities. During the press conference, he also mentioned, during Cyclone Sitrang in October 2022, it was proved that any foreign airlines can and will land and take off at Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport. Because at this time, 8 international flights were diverted from Dhaka to Sylhet within a short period of time. This clearly shows that any multinational or international flight can land at Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport.

Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport is not becoming a truly and fully international airport due to some anti-Sylhet corrupt circles. As a result, the passengers of Sylhet outside the world are being subjected to undue discrimination and suffering. Travelers from Britain are forced to go to Sylhet by buying only Bangladesh Biman tickets at exorbitant prices. Where Qatar or Turkish Airlines can travel from London to Dhaka for 500 or 600 pounds, it costs 1000 pounds to 1400 pounds for a direct flight from London to Sylhet. That is double or close to double! Surprisingly, the flight from England goes to Sylhet first. Then went to Dhaka. Here too the fare from Dhaka to Sylhet is 200 to 300 pounds more.

The reason for this is mysterious. This is a discriminatory and unconscionable behavior of the authorities towards Sylhet. Barrister Nazir further mentioned in the press conference that a fully and truly international airport would have: opened up the flights or airlines of different countries to the competition in terms of service quality and fares which passengers could compare and verify. could choose Bangladesh could earn a huge amount of money from various sectors including aviation fees, landing charges, fuel costs and parking charges if the airlines of different countries take off. But this opportunity is being missed in Sylhet. He said, geographically, the position of Sylhet is very important for us. And with this in mind, the British established an airport in Sylhet.

There are many places to visit in Sylhet, a land of natural beauty. Hakaluki Haor, Tanguar Haor, Shimul Bagan, Madhavkund, the country's largest waterfall, Lalakhal, Ratargul Reservoir, Bisthakandi, Dbir Haor, Malnichara Tea Garden, Jaflong, Three River Estuary, Tamabil, Sadapathar, Keen Bridge, Osmani Museum, Ali Amjad's Clock, etc. Sylhet is a natural place. Sylhet is called the "Spiritual Capital" of Bangladesh, Olikul Shiromani Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shahparan (RA) lie in this Sylhet. Political parties also usually start their activities around their special occasions and elections by visiting Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Shahparan (RA) shrines in Sylhet. Thousands of tourists flock to Sylhet every day from different parts of Bangladesh to see the above natural and scenic places of Sylhet including two shrines.

In such a situation, if Osmani Airport is fully and truly international, the door of immense possibilities can be opened. Tourists can visit Sylhet by 2/3 hour flight from various cities of all over India and South Asia to see the sights. Many foreigners come to Sylhet for day trips or 2/3 day weekend breaks, just as British travelers visit European cities and sights. In this, Sylhet can be an important chakra center of South Asia. Bangladesh government can earn huge money from tourism. Millions of Sylhet residents live in Europe, Middle East and America. About seven lakh people of Sylhet are living in UK alone. Instead of forcing them to fly to and fro at exorbitant prices like a 'one man shop', if other airlines allow them to land at Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport, they will be more interested in frequenting Sylhet with their families, investing or investing already. to increase the range.

This will benefit the economy of Bangladesh in various ways. Airline service quality will also increase due to competition. Along with that, the corruption related to aviation will decrease. The economy of many countries of the world is dependent on tourism. Middle East desert, no natural beauty - many such countries are also trying to attract tourists from different countries of the world by making tourist places in artificial way. But the natural beauty of Bangladesh is given by the creator. But we are not able to make good use of this immense potential given by the Creator.

Internationalization of Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport not only in name but also in full and in true sense can open the doors of immense possibilities for Bangladesh. Senior journalist Shabbir Ahmad and literary activist Zayed Ali were also present in the press conference.