Innovation, accountability key to dynamic ministry: Aviation Minister

Newly appointed Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has called for innovative planning and stronger coordination to make the ministry's activities more dynamic, saying good performance will be rewarded while negligence and poor performance will be subject to accountability.

He made the remarks at an interaction with officials and employees after joining the ministry on Sunday morning (August 23).

Millat said he wanted to build an effective team under the new leadership and move beyond conventional bureaucratic practices.

The minister said removing coordination gaps between the ministry and its agencies would be a priority. Necessary changes would be introduced to accelerate work, with greater emphasis on new ideas and innovative approaches.

As part of the effort to improve coordination, Millat said he plans to work one day a week from either the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) or Biman Bangladesh Airlines. This, he said, would allow him to directly monitor the agencies’ activities and facilitate quicker decision-making.

Speaking to journalists, the minister said work to upgrade Cox's Bazar Airport to international standards was progressing and expressed hope that international operations could begin there in October. The launch of international flights, he said, would expand tourism connectivity between Cox’s Bazar and domestic and foreign destinations.

Millat also said the soft opening of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is planned for December 16. The government is working to sign an agreement with a Japanese company in September as part of the preparations.

He said efforts were also underway to launch direct Dhaka-New York flights next year. The minister further outlined plans to add 10 leased aircraft to Biman Bangladesh Airlines' fleet.

Earlier, ministry officials and employees welcomed Millat with flowers when he arrived around 9am. He later held discussions with ministry officials and representatives of various agencies under the ministry.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for appointing him, Millat said a change in leadership was a normal process and that the priority under the new leadership would be to work collectively and effectively.