Sylhet's trade gateway expands as Osmani Airport launches cargo flights

For the first time, cargo flights will operate from Sylhet Osmani International Airport, with the first shipment to Spain scheduled for today – a move exporters see as opening new doors of opportunity.

Exporters say various products from Sylhet are exported to Europe, America, and several Middle Eastern countries. However, due to the absence of a cargo terminal at the local airport, exporters had long been forced to route their shipments through Dhaka.

As a result, there had been longstanding demands for setting up a cargo terminal and launching direct cargo flights from Sylhet Osmani Airport.

"It would boost exports of products like betel leaves, satkara (a local citrus fruit), lemons, and fish," said Hijkil Gulzar, former president of the Jalalabad Vegetable and Fish Export Group.

He also noted that with proper management, not only Bangladeshi businesses but also traders from India's Seven Sisters states could benefit from using this airport.

Hafiz Ahmed, director of Osmani International Airport, said that after Dhaka, Osmani has become the second airport in the country equipped with a cargo station. Initially, goods will be transported to several European countries.

However, exporters note that without a proper packing house in place, exporting locally produced goods directly from Osmani Airport will not be immediately possible. Initially, products packed elsewhere will be exported through the cargo flights.

"Sylhet's main export items are vegetables and leafy greens, which are highly perishable. Exporting such products requires not only RA-3 protocol clearance but also a modern packing house," Hafiz Ahmed said.

He said with further infrastructure development and necessary facilities, it would eventually be possible to export local products directly from Sylhet.

Efforts were initiated to use Osmani Airport as an alternative air cargo route after India cancelled Bangladesh's transshipment facilities on 8 April through the Petrapole and Gede land ports for exporting goods to third countries via Delhi Airport.

Recently, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, said Bangladesh's export costs are projected to increase by around Tk2,000 crore following India's recent cancellation of transhipment facilities for Bangladeshi goods.

In response, the government is prioritising the establishment of direct cargo services, beginning with Osmani International Airport, to mitigate any disruption to Bangladesh's exports. Plans are also underway to launch a similar facility from Cox's Bazar Airport soon, he said.

All preparations done

According to sources at Osmani International Airport, all preparations for operating cargo flights have been completed. Security measures at the export cargo complex have been strengthened, and the necessary equipment has been installed.

The facility now includes modern, high-standard machinery, including an Explosive Detection System (EDS), to meet the requirements of markets such as the United Kingdom and Europe.

Although Osmani's cargo terminal, with a handling capacity of 100 tonnes, has been ready for operations since 2022, various delays had kept it from launching until now. Finally, cargo flights from Osmani Airport will begin with the export of goods for Inditex, a Spanish company, officials said.

The entire export process is being overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) through Gallistair Infinite Aviation. CAAB will also be responsible for the security of cargo flight operations, while Biman Bangladesh Airlines will handle ground services.

According to sources, several dignitaries are expected to attend the inauguration of cargo flights from Osmani Airport today, including Sheikh Bashir Uddin, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Secretary Nasreen Jahan; Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB); and Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Mexico.