Bangladesh Vows to End Airport Baggage Delays, Ticket Syndicates

Bangladesh's newly appointed State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, has announced plans to overhaul airport services, specifically targeting protracted baggage claim delays and systemic corruption. Speaking on his first day in office, the minister committed to redesigning airport processes to ensure passengers receive their luggage immediately after immigration.

The initiative addresses long-standing passenger grievances at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), the country's primary international gateway. Passengers have frequently reported waits of one to two hours for luggage, a figure cited by the minister and corroborated by local media reports on trolley shortages and baggage handling inefficiencies. The reforms aim to improve the entire travel experience, from ticketing to baggage collection.

Tackling Ticket Syndicates and Corruption

Beyond baggage handling, the minister vowed to dismantle powerful airline ticket syndicates. He referenced allegations of flights operating with empty seats while passengers are unable to purchase tickets, creating an artificial scarcity. This aligns with a government investigation, reported by the Daily Industry, which found a syndicate involving 11 international airlines and their agents manipulating ticket prices, particularly on Middle East routes. In some cases, fares to Saudi Arabia were reportedly inflated from around Tk 50,000 to as high as Tk 1.9 lakh.

Minister Millat also addressed broader corruption within the aviation sector, promising that all allegations from the past 15 years would be investigated. This follows several high-profile cases, including an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filing against 22 Biman Bangladesh Airlines officials for a reported Tk 11.61 billion loss related to an aircraft lease. The government had previously drafted the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, to penalize agencies for overcharging and ticket hoarding, signaling ongoing efforts to regulate the industry.

Path Forward

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MOCAT) is expected to implement changes quickly. Minister Millat stated that the public should begin to see gradual improvements soon, with tangible signs of change anticipated within one to two weeks. The government's pledge represents a renewed effort to address systemic issues that have persistently affected Bangladesh's aviation sector and passenger confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Targets 1-2 hour baggage claim waits for immediate reduction.
• Pledges to dismantle airline ticket syndicates that artificially inflate fares.
• Initiates investigations into systemic corruption within the aviation sector.
• Promises initial signs of service improvement within one to two weeks.

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