Cargo village needed to boost airport capacity
By Rafiqul Islam Selim
Chattogram is emerging as an economic and logistics hub, but its air connectivity has failed to keep pace. Despite the Karnaphuli Tunnel, highways, Chattogram Port and deep-sea port facilities, Shah Amanat International Airport remains underused and international flights limited. Stakeholders say a cargo village is essential to turning Chattogram into a regional economic hub. On Sunday, the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry submitted five proposals to Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to improve facilities and attract traffic.
The proposals come as large-scale foreign investment flows into Chattogram as part of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s efforts to restructure the economy and transform Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034. Several hundred industrial units are expected, including Chinese investment. More than $1.5 billion is expected in the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anwara. The Korean EPZ is attracting substantial investment, while steps are being taken to establish a Japanese economic zone. Industries are also being established in Mirsarai, the country’s largest special economic zone.
As these areas become operational, Chattogram is expected to develop into a regional centre, expanding tourism, education, healthcare and housing. The proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor could strengthen its logistics role. The Maheshkhali energy hub, Matarbari deep-sea port and Chattogram Port are expected to drive development from Mirsarai to Maheshkhali. Road and port infrastructure has advanced. The Karnaphuli Tunnel, built with Chinese assistance, improved connectivity across the river. The Outer Ring Road has opened, plans are underway to upgrade the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway to six lanes, and Chattogram Port is being expanded. The Bay Terminal and Matarbari deep-sea port projects are also progressing.
Air connectivity, however, has not kept pace. Shah Amanat handles around 20 to 22 international flights daily, mainly to Middle Eastern destinations. An airport official said this is half its capacity, meaning it could handle nearly twice as many flights, but numbers have not increased due to a lack of government initiatives. Most flights operate in the morning and evening, leaving it underused. Despite becoming an international airport nearly two decades ago, Shah Amanat lacks a functioning cargo village. The shortage prevents direct air shipments of garments to Europe and North America. After India withdrew its transshipment facility for Bangladeshi goods following August 5, 2024, the interim government initiated air shipments, but the process stalled.
Chattogram has more than 400 garment factories, two EPZs and the largest economic zone. Businesses therefore often transport goods to Dhaka before export by air. Direct cargo services to several Middle Eastern destinations through Etihad and Emirates began in 2005 but were discontinued in 2021. Although specialised cargo flights have remained suspended for four years, businesses continue shipping limited cargo through passenger aircraft, particularly vegetables. The Chamber called for utilisation of Shah Amanat’s capacity and a cargo village. Chamber President Mohammad Amirul Haque said Chattogram could become an aviation, tourism and logistics gateway connecting the East and West while reducing pressure on Dhaka-centred air traffic.
The Chamber said land in Patenga could accommodate a cargo village and inland container depot/container freight station serving both. Private investors could develop the facilities through public-private partnerships (PPP), build-operate-own (BOO) or build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangements. Its five proposals are 24-hour airport operations; a 40% tariff for international routes; passenger boarding and disembarkation during long-haul stopovers; transit refuelling facilities through capacity building; and a cargo village and ICD/CFS near the airport under PPP or BOT arrangements. The Chamber urged the minister to personally direct implementation, establishing Chattogram as Bangladesh’s commercial capital and regional investment and logistics hub.
