The long-awaited expectations of Sylhet's residents are finally being met. Although Osmani is an international airport, it has lacked operations from foreign carriers—a long-standing grievance for locals. This is about to change, as three foreign airlines prepare to launch flights from Osmani International Airport by late this year or early next year.
This initiative will expand direct air travel routes connecting Sylhet with various international destinations. Additionally, in light of strengthening ties with India, the government is evaluating flight operations to neighboring Indian states.
Backed by a multi-thousand crore taka investment, Osmani International Airport has successfully upgraded its runway and built a modern warehouse. Yet, even with these world-class facilities and an ongoing terminal expansion, the airport still awaits its first steady wave of foreign airline operations.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines presently provides direct connectivity from Osmani to the UK (London, Manchester), Qatar, Oman, the UAE (Sharjah, Abu Dhabi), and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, reliable sources indicate that US-Bangla Airlines is planning to introduce direct flights to Medina and Jeddah (serving Mecca) this August.
Flydubai holds the distinction of being the first foreign airline to service Osmani International Airport. The carrier introduced five weekly flights on the Sylhet-Dubai route on April 1, 2015, which later expanded into a daily operation due to high passenger volume. Despite this strong demand, the airline suspended the service in September 2018 due to internal issues.
Following the formation of the BNP-led government, Flydubai has renewed its interest in operating out of Sylhet. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanam Rita, stated in the National Parliament that the government has pledged full policy support to the carrier. Consequently, travel industry experts predict that Flydubai could relaunch its services from Osmani Airport late this year.
Concurrently, Oman-based low-cost carrier SalamAir is planning to enter the Sylhet market with direct flights to Muscat starting September 1. This new connection is expected to significantly lower travel costs for the large Sylheti expatriate community living in Oman.
Furthermore, UAE-based carrier Air Arabia is planning to enter the Sylhet market. The airline is currently preparing to launch its flight operations by late this year or early next year.
According to Osmani International Airport Director Hafiz Ahmad, Oman's SalamAir has initially proposed a schedule of three direct flights per week from Sylhet. Meanwhile, Air Arabia and Flydubai are also actively exploring flight options from the region.
In a parallel development, Biman's direct route between Sylhet and Manchester officially resumed operations last Sunday. The incoming passengers from the UK were received at Osmani International Airport by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir.
At a press conference, the Commerce Minister outlined the government's initiatives to transform Osmani Airport into a fully functional international hub. He stated that direct flights between Sylhet and Guwahati could materialize as bilateral ties with India reach the desired level of cooperation. Additionally, introducing routes to neighboring regional hubs would enhance cross-border connectivity and trade—objectives the administration is actively pursuing.
Reflecting on these developments, former ATAB Sylhet President Abdul Jabbar Jalil stated that Osmani International Airport's full potential is yet to be realized. Welcoming foreign airline operations has been a historic demand for the people of Sylhet. Successful execution of the government's current plans will finally address these local expectations and offer major convenience to expatriates traveling home.
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