Cox’s Bazar Airport has achieved a new milestone by introducing the refuelling system before being recognised as an international airport. This journey started by supplying fuel to an aircraft which arrived here from Dhaka.
Chairman of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) ABM Azad inaugurated the refuelling programme by supplying 1,200 litres of fuel oil to an aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Sunday.
The authority concerned said that Cox's Bazar Airport is being developed as a refuelling hub. As part of it, fuel supply to aircraft began on the day.
The work of upgrading Cox's Bazar Airport to international standards is going on in full swing.
Before 2:00 pm, it was seen that planes were landing one by one on the runway of Cox's Bazar Airport. Boeing 787 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and 40 flights of private airlines are taking off from Cox's Bazar Airport every day.
The authority of Padma Oil Company Ltd said that on the opening day, 6,400 litres of fuel were supplied to Cox's Bazar Airport for three flights to Sylhet and Dhaka.
Azad said that this region is being developed as a refuelling hub. Cox's Bazar is the hub of tourism. The airport's connection with this tourism is recognised worldwide. With that goal, the government has declared Cox's Bazar Airport as an international airport. Upgrading work is also in progress, he added.
The BPC chairman further said Padma Oil Company Ltd has been involved in refuelling aircraft for years. The company has been given the responsibility for aircraft refuelling management at Cox's Bazar Airport.
The officials of private airlines are happy as the refuelling system has been launched at Cox's Bazar Airport. They say that it will help reduce both time and cost.
Shahidul Alam Chowdhury, assistant station manager of private airline Air Astra, said that they often face problem if the aircraft takes extra fuel from Dhaka. “Now it will be very helpful in refuelling aircraft arriving at Cox's Bazar Airport with less fuel from Dhaka.”
Sometimes the aircraft face a shortage of fuel due to inclement weather. With the introduction of the refuelling system, the fuel crisis will be resolved, he added.
Musa Ahmed, in-charge of US-Bangla Airlines at Cox's Bazar Airport, said that aircraft refueling at Cox's Bazar Airport will prevent wastage of both time and money. At the same time, the quality of passenger service will also improve.
