The government is working to hold a soft opening of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, newly appointed Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to journalists after assuming office, he said the government was also taking steps to sign an agreement with a Japanese company in September regarding the third terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the government plans to launch Dhaka-New York flights next year and hopes to add 10 leased aircraft to Biman Bangladesh Airlines\u2019 fleet soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat assumed office at 9:00am and later attended a meeting with ministry and subordinate agency officials, according to a ministry press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said his first priority would be better coordination between the ministry and its agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor the convenience of work, I want to work from either Civil Aviation or Biman Bangladesh Airlines one day out of five working days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He called for moving beyond conventional bureaucracy and adopting innovative plans, saying, \u201cGood work will be rewarded, while poor performance will face reprimand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government is considering resuming flights at Ishwardi Airport to facilitate transportation of radioactive materials for the Pabna nuclear power plant., he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat further said he had spoken with US-Bangla Airlines about operating flights from Jashore following a decline in commercial flights there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A feasibility study is under way for Bogura airport, while the government hopes to open Cox\u2019s Bazar International Airport in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for entrusting him with the ministry, saying cabinet reshuffles were normal and the new leadership wanted to advance its work through a coordinated team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"