Bangladesh Moves to Upgrade Eight STOL Ports into Domestic Airports

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Strengthening National Connectivity and Strategic Resilience

The Government of Bangladesh has unveiled plans to upgrade eight existing Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) ports into full-fledged domestic airports, a move that could significantly enhance the country’s transportation network while simultaneously strengthening its strategic and defence infrastructure.

Speaking in Parliament, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam confirmed that feasibility studies are underway to assess the conversion of STOL ports at Bogura, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Ishurdi (Pabna), Shamshernagar (Moulvibazar), Khan Jahan Ali (Bagerhat), Cumilla and Patuakhali into operational domestic airports.

The initiative forms part of the government’s commitment to establish a National Air Connectivity Grid, linking divisional cities and district centres through a phased aviation expansion programme. The announcement was accompanied by plans for Biman Bangladesh Airlines to procure additional Boeing and Airbus aircraft, highlighting a broader national effort to modernise Bangladesh’s aviation sector and improve connectivity across the country.

A New Phase in Domestic Aviation

Despite impressive economic growth over the past two decades, large areas of Bangladesh remain heavily dependent on road and river transport. Congestion, seasonal flooding and long travel times continue to constrain economic activity in many districts.

The proposed airport upgrades could dramatically reduce travel times between key regional centres and Dhaka, facilitating faster movement of passengers, business travellers, high-value cargo and government services.

For regions such as Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon, improved air connectivity could attract investment, stimulate tourism and support regional development objectives. Enhanced access to the Sundarbans, coastal tourism zones and emerging industrial areas would provide new economic opportunities while helping to integrate peripheral districts more closely into the national economy.

The project also aligns with Bangladesh’s ambition to become a regional transport and logistics hub by improving internal connectivity and supporting future aviation growth.

Biman’s Expansion and Future Route Opportunities

The planned acquisition of 14 Boeing aircraft by Biman Bangladesh Airlines represents a significant expansion of the national carrier’s fleet and could play an important role in supporting the government’s connectivity objectives.

An expanded fleet would enable Biman to increase domestic frequencies, open new regional routes and strengthen international connectivity. As new domestic airports become operational, they could serve as feeder hubs linking district-level passengers to major gateways such as Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.

The fleet expansion may also provide additional flexibility for cargo transport, pilgrimage operations and international services, supporting Bangladesh’s growing economy and expanding overseas workforce.

Together, airport development and fleet modernisation suggest a coordinated strategy aimed at building a more comprehensive national aviation ecosystem.

Strategic Value Beyond Commercial Aviation

While the economic benefits are substantial, the strategic significance of the proposed airport upgrades may ultimately prove equally important.

Modern aviation infrastructure is increasingly viewed as a dual-use national asset capable of supporting both civilian and security requirements. Around the world, secondary airports and regional airfields serve as critical components of national resilience strategies, providing operational flexibility during emergencies, disasters and security contingencies.

The geographical distribution of the proposed airports creates a network of aviation facilities spanning northern, eastern, western and coastal Bangladesh.

Several locations hold particular strategic importance:

• Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon provide enhanced access to Bangladesh’s northern region and important border areas.
• Bogura sits near key military facilities and major transportation corridors.
• Isurdi (Pabna): Located near Roopur Nuclear Powerplant and various military garrisons.
• Cumilla occupies a strategically significant position close to eastern communication routes and border districts.
• Shamshernagar possesses a long history of military aviation activity and remains strategically located in the north-east.
• Patuakhali and Bagerhat provide access to Bangladesh’s southern coastal belt and the approaches to the Bay of Bengal.

As the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal continues to grow within the wider Indo-Pacific region, infrastructure capable of supporting surveillance, logistics and emergency operations along the coastline becomes increasingly valuable.

Defence Implications and Air Mobility

From a defence perspective, the development of additional operational airfields could enhance Bangladesh’s overall strategic flexibility.

The Bangladesh Air Force has increasingly emphasised mobility, disaster response and logistical support capabilities as part of its long-term modernisation efforts. A wider network of operational airports would provide additional options for aircraft dispersal, transport operations and contingency planning.

Such facilities could support operations involving transport aircraft, including the Bangladesh Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules fleet, which plays a central role in military logistics, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

In times of crisis, upgraded regional airports could facilitate:

• Rapid deployment of military personnel and equipment.
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
• Medical evacuation missions.
• Border surveillance and security support.
• Search and rescue operations.
• Civil-military emergency response activities.

The existence of multiple operational airfields across the country would also contribute to infrastructure redundancy, ensuring that aviation operations can continue even if major airports become unavailable due to natural disasters or other emergencies.

This concept of distributed aviation infrastructure is increasingly recognised as a key component of national resilience and strategic preparedness.

A Force Multiplier for Disaster Response

Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods and other natural disasters. Aviation assets often become the fastest and most effective means of delivering aid when roads and waterways are disrupted.

The proposed airports in Patuakhali and Bagerhat could emerge as important staging points for relief operations in coastal regions, while facilities in northern districts could support emergency responses during seasonal flooding.

Enhanced air connectivity would allow government agencies, the armed forces and humanitarian organisations to deploy personnel and supplies more rapidly, reducing response times during critical situations.

In this regard, the airport modernisation programme represents an investment not only in transportation infrastructure but also in national disaster resilience.

The Revival of Ishurdi Airport

Among the proposed projects, the revival of Ishurdi Airport carries particular historical and economic significance.

Constructed on approximately 176.7 hectares of land acquired between 1955 and 1957, the airport began operations under Pakistan International Airlines in 1962. Following Bangladesh’s independence, Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched services to Ishurdi in April 1972 using F-27 aircraft.

Despite several attempts to sustain commercial operations, services were suspended due to insufficient passenger demand, with the last scheduled flights operated by United Airways during 2013–14.

Today, however, the economic landscape of western Bangladesh differs considerably from previous decades. The development of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, expanding industrial activity, growing business travel requirements and improved regional economic integration may provide stronger foundations for sustainable air services than existed during earlier attempts to operate the airport.

Looking Ahead

The ultimate viability of each airport will depend on the findings of ongoing feasibility studies and the ability to generate sustainable passenger and cargo demand. Nevertheless, the government’s initiative represents more than a conventional infrastructure project.

If successfully implemented, the transformation of Bangladesh’s STOL ports into domestic airports could strengthen regional economic development, improve national connectivity, enhance disaster-response capabilities and provide valuable strategic depth for national security.

Combined with Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ planned fleet expansion, the programme reflects a growing recognition that aviation infrastructure is not merely a transportation asset but a critical component of Bangladesh’s economic competitiveness, resilience and long-term strategic preparedness.

For Bangladesh, the proposed airport network may ultimately serve as both an engine of development and a force multiplier for national security in an increasingly interconnected and strategically significant region.