Bangladeshi government to privatise airport

Airline Industry Information, Sept 15, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Bangladesh's Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong will be turned over to Thai Airways in November 2004 after the government decided to privatise its operations.

Officials at the Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh said that preparations for the management transfer were almost complete and that all formalities will be finalised by the end of September 2004.

The mayor of Chittagong has voiced his opposition to the move by demanding that the decision be reversed immediately on grounds of national security due to the airport's proximity to an army base and missile complex.

The Civil Aviation Authority claims that the handover of management would in no way damage national security or sovereignty, reports Thailand's The Nation.

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