First cargo flight leaves Sylhet airport

Cargo flights have been launched from Sylhet's Osmani International Airport. The first flight departed for Spain this evening (27 April).

Earlier, the cargo flight service was officially inaugurated by Sk Bashir Uddin, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. 

At the inauguration event, the adviser said, "Our capabilities have increased in every sector after the fall of the fascist government."

Bashir Uddin said that the country's businessmen had to use airports in other countries; now they will be able to export cargo from Bangladesh at a much lower cost. Cargo costs from Dhaka to Europe have decreased by 13%, he noted. 

"We have all worked together to solve the problems. For the first time since independence, a cargo flight has been launched from outside Dhaka. This is a historic day for the people of Sylhet. Launching cargo flights from Osmani International Airport is undoubtedly a groundbreaking step," the adviser said.

The Civil Aviation Authority organised the inauguration ceremony at Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport to mark the launch of the cargo flights.

Bashir Uddin further said, "Today's achievement is not the destination; it is just the beginning of a journey. We still have to bear many burdens left by the fascist government. We are not willing to make any expenditures that will not generate surplus, as that would only increase our burdens."

Air Vice Marshal Md Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, presided over the event. 

Bangladesh's ambassador to Mexico Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari and secretary of the civil aviation ministry Nasrin Jahan spoke as special guests. The welcome speech was delivered by the director of MAG Osmani International Airport, Hafiz Ahmed.

Ambassador Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari said, "The people of Sylhet had long demanded an effective international airport; they even organised strikes for it. With the start of cargo flights today, Sylhet will finally benefit if it continues. In the past, development projects in Sylhet were marked by rampant looting. The current government has put an end to plundering."

Speaking at the event, Secretary Nasrin Jahan said, "The people of Sylhet had demanded the launch of cargo flights to every country in the world from Sylhet. Today, that dream has come true. The launch of cargo flights from Sylhet will also ease pressure on Dhaka."

In his closing speech, Air Vice Marshal Md Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan said, "Today, a new horizon has been opened for the country's export scene. This will bring revolutionary improvements to the sector. Initially, there will be two cargo flights a week from Sylhet, and gradually, we will increase the number."

The first cargo flight departed for Spain, carrying 60 tonnes of goods on an Airbus 337 cargo aircraft.

Among those present at the inauguration were BNP national executive committee's assistant organisational secretary Miftah Siddiqui, NCP central committee member Barrister Nurul Huda, Sylhet district Jamaat ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman, former FBCCI director Khandaker Shipar Ahmed and director of Jamuna Oil Ltd Saleh Ahmed Khosru.