The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, has announced plans to reopen Bogura Airport as the country's ninth airport.
He made the statement following an inspection of the airport site in Bogura on Sunday.
During his visit, the Air Force Chief stated, "Despite multiple proposals to previous governments, the issue of Bogura Airport was not given due importance. We will send a fresh proposal to the relevant authorities to prioritize this project."
He highlighted the infrastructure requirements for operationalizing the airport. "To reopen the airport, a minimum runway length of 6,000 feet is needed. Currently, it has a 4,700-foot runway. Once extended, it will accommodate small passenger aircraft. However, we are only inspecting the site for now, as the final decision rests with the government. If approved, it will take about one and a half years to extend the runway and begin commercial operations."
The initiative to establish Bogura Airport began in 1987 but was stalled due to various complications. During the BNP government's tenure (1991–1996), a policy decision was finalized to set up the airport, with a project budget of Tk 22 crore approved.
In 1995, 109 acres of land were acquired in the Erulia area of Sadar Upazila, adjacent to the Bogura-Naogaon highway. When the Awami League came to power in 1996, construction commenced under the approved project. By 2000, the project had been completed, including a runway, office buildings, residential facilities for officials, electricity and water supply, and road infrastructure.
Despite these developments, commercial flights never commenced, leaving the airport unused for over two decades.
