Nepal keen to upgrade Bangladesh's Saidpur Airport to international status
Nepal has shown strong interest in supporting the upgrade of Saidpur Airport in Bangladesh to international status, aiming to enhance regional connectivity, trade and tourism across South Asia.
Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, conveyed Kathmandu’s position during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat. The discussion highlighted opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties through improved aviation infrastructure and tourism partnerships.
Saidpur Airport, located in Bangladesh’s northern region, is considered strategically important for connecting landlocked Nepal and neighbouring areas such as Bhutan and northeastern India. Officials believe upgrading the facility to international standards could significantly reduce travel time, lower transportation costs and open new economic corridors for trade and tourism.
During the talks, the Nepalese side also sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in advancing Nepal’s aviation and tourism sectors, including technical collaboration, training and investment. Both sides discussed the need to make airfare on the Dhaka–Kathmandu route more affordable to encourage passenger growth and cultural exchange.
Bangladesh and Nepal, both members of regional platforms like SAARC and BIMSTEC, have been exploring ways to improve connectivity to unlock economic potential. Enhanced air links are expected to benefit business travel, religious tourism and people-to-people contact.
Officials from both countries expressed optimism that closer collaboration in aviation and tourism would contribute to sustainable growth, strengthen regional integration and create new opportunities for economic development in the sub-region.
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