Airports
Introduction: During Second World war British regime’s military airstrips was built in Tejgaon and also in Kurmitola(Balurghat), Dhaka,{where present Zia International air port was established after the independence of Bangladesh) and else where to operate war planes towards the war fields of Kohima and other Burmese war theatres .
At that time this area was also the part of British colony. Later on RIAF station of Tejgaon, Dhaka became the first Airport to operate the air-crafts of Civil Aviation of this area. During Pakistan period it was a famous airport of East Pakistan and also a PAF station. Gradually some other British built military airstrips also became Civil Airports during Pakistan and Bangladesh Periods. At present three international airports and few domestic (STOL) airports under the control of CAAB . They are Zia International Airport, Dhaka, Osmani International Airport, Sylhet, MA Hannan International Airport, Chittagong, Barishal Airport, Jessore Airport, Syedpur Airport, Rajshahi Airport, Shamsher Nogor Airport, Sylhet, Coxes Bazar Airport, Iswardi Airport, Pabna, Comilla Airport. Besides there are few proposed airports some of which are under construction or very soon will be constructed. They are Bogra Airport, Khan Jahan Ali Airport, Bagerhat, Tungi Para Airport, Hatia Airport, Ramgati Airport, Noakhali etc.There are still few other British built military airstrips and landing facilties of Pakistan periods which may be converted to Civil airports also on requirement. They are in Lalmonirhat, Thakoregaon, Feni, Rajendrapur, Pahar Kanchanpur, Rasulpur etc places. Only the oldest and the most modern airports are discussed below.
History of Tejgaon Airport: Soon after the Second world war has broken out British authority felt the need of constructing RIAF stations in Dhaka and other vulnerable places of present Bangladesh area (along with other places of British India). Hundreds of local workers were employed to materialize their plan in Dainodda and adjacent areas of Tejgaon, Dhaka and else where. The first RIAF light fighter (airframe covered with fabrics) landed in the under constructed runway of Dhaka station at the beginning of 1943. It became RIAF station. Its first administrative and other offices were in huts. Gradually its airports facilities were constructed and later it also became the first civil airport of Bangladesh (present) part of British colony.
Runways , Airport Terminals, Airline routes are requirements of Modern Civil Aviation: Modern Terminal across the Globe having capability to handle upto two flights a minute. Terminals is now an integral part of Airports including tarmacs, buildings, installations and equipment. The size of the airports depends on the volume of flight activities ( passengers, mails, express and freight ) and types of aircraft’s use it. Modern airports need fully computerized baggage handling equipments. Its runways should be equipped with modern electronics and laser / infrared beams enable aircrafts to land even without pilots according to FAA/CAA standard. According to FAA standard modern airport facilities including runways are as follows . Present Runway may be from 3200-4200 ft, or more than that(length). Its width must be 100 ft/, 150-200 ft, Taxing width 50/75 ft, Taxing Center line to obstacle 100/200 ft, Aircraft packing area 175/250 ft, Parallel Taxing center line 200/300 ft Runway center line to obstacle 200/280 ft, Taxing center line 280/400 ft, Aircraft Parking area 425/650 ft, Property line 500 ft min/ 750 ft, Building line (non Precision runway 500/ 750 ft, Building ( Precision runway 750/ 750 ft. Modern aircrafts are installed with Radar and other Navigational devices ( NAV AIDS ). It should be installed with Black box which consists of a Digital Flight Data Recorder and a Cockpit Voice Recorder. Modern airport must have ATC and required communication and navigational aids should also be in the ATC. These are common for Military Aviation also. Somewhere it uses Civil Aviation’s runway and in separate airforce stations/bases they have their own runways and exclusively military airports. In British India in the year 1941 he construction of Tejgaon Airport was started . About same time the landing strip in Kormitolla (Balurghat) was started construction . These were used for war purpose. British Air force Air-crafts were kept in both the areas. An American Airforce detachment was also there . At that time the name of Tejgaon Airport area was Dainodda (Courtesy: Syed Shahadat Hossain , an inhabitant of Dainodda , while the Airport was under construction) .In Bangladeshi area at that time many other Air strips was also constructed for war purpose . Later on some of these were upgraded for commercial aviation .During Bangladesh period both Domestic and International Flights started operation from Zia International Airport . This Airport was constructed around British built Air strip. All the modern Airports maintain International standard. Other important factor of aviation is Air Route . To find out proper route experts calculated minutely so that an aircraft reach its destination shortest possible way and safely. Like other air liners Bangladesh Biman also fly in schedule route from the Zia International Airport . From here one can reach any where of the Globe
However before the World War II this airline has collected few DC-3 (Dakota). After this airliner Ispahani and other partners started an airliner named Orient Airways in 1946. (SMSU)
Civil Aviation at partition of 1947: After the partition of 1947 Orient Airways was operating in East Pakistan. At that time it had DC-3 (Dakota) and DHC-6(Twin otter). At that time the economic boom worldwide continued. It was placing greater demands on Civil Aviation Industry. Wide body and speedy aircrafts needed. In Pakistan PIA replaced Orient Airways. At that time Government of Pakistan started Government flight. It used to carry Government personnel and freight between two wings of Pakistan. In 1948 Pakistan Government has established Eastern Pakistan flying club to train interested East Pakistani youth in the field of piloting. Initially this organization had Tiger Moth, Fox moth etc Aircrafts to train its flying students. Then during Pakistan period there established Flying wing of plant protection department of the Government in 1956. It had a branch in East Pakistan also. This organization initially collected DHC-2(Beavre ) to spray ultra low volume concentrate of pesticide from the sky over the pest affected cultivated land. By this time jet aircrafts were developed. At the beginning the piston engine aircrafts like Dakotas, Convairs and Super constellations were converted to turbo propeller type of aircrafts like Viscounts and Fokker. Afterwards pure jet aircrafts like Boeing, Comet, DC-8s etc were developed. The British Airways had trial flight with Comets, which was a pure jet aircraft (in 1947). Pan American Airways started its service with Boeing 707 in 1958.PIA started its jet Boeing services in 1960. It was the first Asian Airliner to enter into the JET AGE. From 1947 to 1971 there were International and Domestic flight of PIA from Dhaka Airport. During this period here there were aircrafts for training, pleasure, sports, personal conveyance, crop dusting, pesticide spraying, general survey of various organization. As a matter of fact these all are the matters of civil aviation. (SMSU)
Growth of Civil Aviation after 1971: On independence Bangladesh Biman got no aircraft from PIA. By that time through out the world greater number of passengers and larger quantities of freight could be transported in the wide bodied aircraft with many more facilities and at comparatively lower costs. Hence, World Airliners admired the advent of jumbo jet that is Boeing 747, DC-10, Tri-Star and Airbus. Newly independent Bangladesh also needed an Airliner and latest aircrafts. Just after the independence in January 4, 1972 Bangladesh Government has established Air Bangladesh International by acting President order no 2. Previously for domestic flight it used Fokker F-27 (Friendship). Then it used ATP. These were twin engine propeller aircrafts. Now it is using F-28. For international flight it is using wide body turbo jet or other types of aircrafts of their own and also chartered. For Passenger service such aircrafts having comfortable seating, proper air-conditioning in all altitudes and other facilities approved by FAA/CAA and also by ICAO. In the year 2000 it had five DC-10, three F-28, three Airbus, two ATP (unserviceable) of its own. In the same year it obtained one DC-10 and one Airbus on lease. Before private airliners established here it was only 100% Government owned airliner (corporation) in Bangladesh. Beside it, there was other small Government aviation. It was BAN Air which used to operate small aircraft only. Interested parties could hire aircrafts from it. At present this organization is not in operation. Air wing of Plant Protection Department of the Bangladesh Government had twelve DHC-3(Beaver) before liberation. (SMSU)
Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh and Airports:All the airports(civil) of Bangladesh are administered by the CAAB. From the year 1996 CAAB started issuing operating licenses to private airliners. So to avail airports facilities Bangladesh Biman and all private airliners have to obtain proper authority. Besides , Plant protection Department of Bangladesh Government having few aircraft for pesticide spraying . Air wing of this department is established during Pakistan period in 1956 in the old airport of Tejgaon – Dhaka. At that time it had DHC –2 (Beaver), & piper. After the independence it is working as the Aviation Wing of Agricultural Department of Bangladesh Government. In 1973 by the aid of Newzealand Government it established A Flying training Project (Scheme) for its Pilots training . For this purpose Norman Clark Government of Newzealand presented three Air Tourer training aircrafts to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Government of the Bangladesh. In 1982 Plant Protection Department got five Fletcher-24-950 ,Crescoo-8-600 built in Newzealand and two DHC-2(Beaver) were in operation .These were being operated from above airports. Other Civil private airliners which obtained operating license from CAAB to use above airports are shown in the following charts. Their operating offices are also established in the either airport.They may use other airports also as permitted by CAAB.
STATEMENT OF COMPANIES GAINED AIR TRANSPORT OPERATING LICENSE (ATOL) FROM CAAB
| Name of Airlines | ATOL NO .& date of issue | Type of service | Type of Aircrafts |
| Bangladesh Flying Academy and General Aviation Ltd. | Charter License-1 Dt.31-3-85 | Flying Training and Charter service | Cessna –150, Cessna-182( Yankee)Piper PA –38(Tomahawk) Piper PA-34-200T(Senica) Piper PA-31- 350(Chieftain) |
| Aero Bengal Airlines Ltd | ATOL No.3 Dt .16-8-1996 | Passenger Service | Y-12 |
| Air Parabat Flying Academy | ATOL No.4 Dt .17-2-1997 | Flying Training | Cessna –150 |
| Mission Aviation Fellowship Sweden (MAF-S) | ATOL NO .5 Dt.17-06-97 | Aeroplane Service | DHC-3 (otter) |
| Aero Bengal Airlines | ATOL NO. 6 Dt.23-10-97 | Aeroplane Service | AN- 24RV |
| Air Parabat Ltd | ATOL NO.7 Dt. 30-12-97 | Aeroplane Service | LET-410,AN-24, AN-26 |
| GMG Airlines Ltd. | ATOL NO.8 Dt. 06-05-98 | Aeroplane Service | DASH- 8 |
| Bismillah Airlines Ltd.. | ATOL NO .9 Dt 13-1-99 | Int’l Cargo Service | AN- 12 B |
| Youngone (CEPZ) Ltd | ATOL NO.10 Dt. 24-03-99 | Aeroplane Service | Cessna GrandCaravan |
| Best Aviation Ltd | ATOLNO.11Dt 2-12-99 | Helicopter Service (Domestic) | Bk117 |
| Air Maximus Ltd. | ATOL NO.12 Dt.14-2-2000 | Cargo Air service (Int`l) | B747 |
| Aero Technologies Ltd. | ATOL No.13 Dt.04-04-2000 | Helicopter Service | Eurocopter Type AS-350B |
| Best Aviation Ltd | ATOL NO .14 Dt.07-06-2000 | Int`l Cargo Service | AN- 26,Boeing 707 |
(SMSU)
WEAPONRY
Syed Mohd. Saleh Uddin
With powerful aircrafts Bangladesh also gaining most modern weaponry systems suitable for modern air-war day by day. After independence BAF has its own Air Tech Canada 1000 DHC-3 otter Dc-3 Dakota (U. S.A) and Alouette-III (France) helicopters instially Then airman of BAF made some war torn Sabre fly worthy . Then BAF collected T-37 B Trainer (U.S.A) FT-7 (China) Fouga Magister CM-170 (France). A-5 (III )China. AN –32 (USSR) . F-7 MB Fighter Airguard, L-39A Fighter Trainer (Czech), MI-17 Helicopter (USSR) , F-6 Fighter (China), FT-5 Jet trainer (China), Mig- 21 UM jet trainer(USSR), Mig 21 Jet Fighter (USSR), AN –24 (USSR) , FT –6 Jet Trainer(China),PT –6 Basic Trainer (China) , Air Tourer (Newzeland), AN-26 Transport Aircraft (USSR), Bell 212(U.S.A), Bell –206l (Canada), MI-8 Helicopter (USSR), F-86 (U.S.A), Glider (Czech), West land Wessex (U.K) Helicopter to meet her requirements.Some of these aircrafts are still in service and some became grounded for some reasons.
To establish Bangladesh Navy, in the month of September 1971 from port commissioner of calcutta Bangladesh Government collected two ships. They were re-named M.V. Palash and M.V. Padma. In each ship two 40mm guns were installed to make those war worthy. Initially 45 defected seamen from Pakistan Navy operated them. By November 1971 about 860 Naval Commandos were trained. Day by day Bangladesh Navy is getting newer Warships and other devices from various countries. It is the demand of the day that it should be more powerful with latest naval war equipments that will be capable enough to safeguard its sea area from foreign invasion. Coast Guard of Bangladesh will have also to be equipped with latest equipments and skill manpower to safeguard national properties from local and international ( Thai, Burmese of Myanmar etc.) smugglers & pirates. Seamen of both the organizations must also be trained to help natural calamity affected persons of coastal area and isolated islands of Bangladesh and of neighboring countries .They must also have to work with marines of other countries for the same purpose. In the past also US Navy and Navies of other countries came to help our cyclone affected people of coastal areas and isolated islands.(SMSU)
BANGLADESH NAVY
Syed Mohd. Saleh Uddin
Way to Military Navigation(Royal Indian Navy, Indian Navy, Pakistan Navy) of Bangladesh: During second world war some Indian naval crafts was in action in Burmese waters off the Arakan coast against the Japanese and had odd counters in the Persian Gulf on escort duty. During Second World War British raised the Indian Navy as an auxiliary force of the Royal Navy. Initially it had few small vessels, which were capable of patrolling Indian Coastal water. However, Royal Navy had a glorious past like British empire. This Navy protected the right of way of merchant shipping in the high seas and defended the colonial coastland. It also attended naval bases from hostile seaward invasion. At that time the famous slogan was “Britannia rules the waves.”
On partition of 1947 like Army and Airforce Royal Indian Navy (RIN) was also divided. Before that there was mutiny in Bombay and Karachi Naval establishments in February 1947. For that there was drastic cuts in RIN strength. Yet during sharing, India got 32 light vessels and Pakistan got 16. These were not bigger ships but they were meant to support large fighting ships in coastal waters. However, Indian share comprised four sloops, two frigates, one Corvette, 12 minesweepers, four trawlers, four motor launches & a survey ship. At that time Indian Navy had 1000 officers and about 10,000 other ranks personnel. Pakistan’s share of personnel was also less in proportion. In 1948 Indian Navy procured one LST and six LCTs.In the same year they purchased a light cruiser and three R class destroyers from Britain. They have collected two oilers with them..It purchased a fleet replenishment ship from Itali and borrowed three Hunt class ex-escort Destroyers from Britain. From 1955 by next six years they have collected two coastal minesweepers, five anti submarine frigates and three anti aircraft frigates along with other devices.
In 1955 and 1957 Indian Navy procured two Air-craft carriers.Gradually it obtained modern naval fighters, fighter-bombers, anti submarine aircraft like ten Sea- land amphibious craft (1953), Fairy fly craft (1955), Hindustan HT-2 and Vampire trainer (Jet) aircrafts. American-Sea Hawk Jet fighter-bombers, French Alize reconnaissance and anti-submarine turbo Propelled aircrafts, Coastal minesweepers, antisubmarine frigates, anti-aircraft frigates, destroyer, submarines, missile boats, patrol boats etc. In 1961 Indian Navy consisted 50 warships of all types. It had 1450 officers and 14,550 ratings. Its fleet was based on the west coast of Bombay and Cochin. By April 1962 it had all types of its facilities. But its ships were entirely of British origin. Only the fleet replenishment ship was built by other country. Its Savitry class seaward defense boats were built by Italian , Yugoslav and Dutch parts. They captured a Portuguese frigate in the Goa operation in 1961 was also the asset of Indian Navy.Few smaller boats built in Indian Dockyard were also commissioned with Indian Navy and hence before 1965 it was a powerful Naval force.
In 1965 war Pakistani Naval Power was much weaker than that of India. Pakistan did not have any aircraft carrier, submarines and other vassals were also less. The fact was at that time Pakistani naval capability was very limited which could guard the coastline of two wings of that country separated by about 3,000 miles of sea. Even riverine warfare facility in the eastern wing was also overlooked. Before 1965 war Pakistan had one second hand cruiser, five old destroyers, a fleet oiler obtained from Britain and an US gifted submarine named ‘Diablo’ which was re-named by Pakistani authority ‘Gazi’. The hostility started in 1965 from incursions in the Rann of Kutch on April 9, 1965 followed by Pakistani sponsored infiltration by Mujaheeds into Jammu and Kashmir in early August. On September 6 ,1965 India invaded West Pakistan. Soon Navies of both the countries engaged in war.A Pakistani flotilla advanced towards fishing port of Saurashtra coast Dwarka and attacked over abondoned World war II Radar station. Submarine Gazi was also around Bombay harbour.Some Indian anti submarine frigates chased Gazi back upto Karachi harbour .
After the 1965 war unto 1971 Indian Navy collected a fleet of new antisubmarine warships, few minesweepers and some Ossa Missile boats. A large number of Patrol boats were also collected from various sources. For maritime reconnaissance Indian Navy employed three Constellation aircrafts of Air India fitted with surveillence Radar and other detection equipments. Pakistan Navy employed Fokker friendship (F-27) of PIA for the same purpose. After the 1965 war Pakistan purchased three Daphne class sub-marine from France.After the 1971 war Pakistan tried to made up losses suffered in the war.In 1981 it had 17 major surface warships, nine submarines , some coastal patrol boats, mine sweepers, tanks and tugs. Later Pakistan purchased eight Midget submarines of the S X 404 class from Itali, two more Whitby class frigates, Shanhi II class 8 large patrol crafts.Recently also it included some more crafts etc.
As for example Pakistan recently has added a French built Agusta B-90 class submarine in her Navy and two other submarines of same class will be built in a dock yard situated at karachi port by the technical assistance of French (Ref: The Daily Ittefaq, Sept. 10, 1999) to be commissioned in Pakistan Navy. Such submarines can carry various types of missiles. Few French built Petrol aircrafts are also Commissioned in the Pakistan Navy. One of the such aircraft (Brighway Atlantic aircraft) was shot down by Indian Mig-21 on 10/8/99 while it was patrolling over the border area with sixteen officers and crews. It may be the follow up action of last Kargil war (commenced in 1999).(SMSU)
Military Navigation of 1971 and emergence of Independent Bangladesh Navy: In 1971 when India took decision to help liberate Bangladesh, Indian Naval Military Planners wanted to blockade Khulna-Chalna and Chittagong ports. So the job was assigned to aircraft carrier Vikrant based task force. It consisted the destroyer Rajput, two frigates Brahmahputra and Beas, two anti submarine patrol boats and two to three LSTs. In November 1971 the fleet was waiting in its base in the Andamans . At that time in this wing Pakistani naval strength consisted only 24 boats for riverine warfare under Admiral Sharif. In March 1971 here Pakistan Navy had one destroyer, the fleet oiler and four patrol crafts. During dire need it was under repair in a naval dock- yard of Karachi. However PN activated some gunboats for riverine war here. But drain of Bengali officers and seamen( about 38 percent of total PN strength were Bengali ) frustrated Pakistani authority and hence here there were less of skill manpower.
Pakistan Navy assigned submarine Gazi to trap Vikrant in Visakhapatnam waters. So, on November 14, 1971 it left Karachi for the Bay of Bengal. It reached the assigned area on 24 November .On the night of 3 December it was destroyed under water by an explosion for an unknown reason. So, Vikrant reached its assigned area in the Bay of Bengal safely. On the morning of 4 December its aircrafts raided Cox’s Bazar’s airfield and harbour facilities. In the afternoon of the same day Patenga airfield and chittagong harbour were attacked and damaged. Thus blockade of Chittagong and Khulna ports was completed. Indian fleet captured two 8,000tons Pakistani merchant ships ( Anwar Baksh and Baqir ), two tugs, six other Pakistani crafts trying to flee under false colors and names. They also seized eight Pakistani ships which was chartered from other countries. At about same time IAF was raiding riverine gunboats and destroyed them. Among four seagoing patrol boats one is sunk by Indian fighter, one ran away to neutral waters near Burma and other two were captured by Indian Navy in the harbour during surrender .In the Western Wing Pakistan lost one destroyer and one minesweeper, three gunboats by naval action and submarine Gazi for an accident. Indian loss was one shore based Alize aircraft of the fleet air arm and a frigate Khukri with 18 officers and 176 crews including its Commanding officer Capt. Mulla who decided to go down with his frigate instead of being rescued according to the highest tradition of Military navigation ( Navy ) at war. Before it was sank (9/12/71) he was on the bridge and supervising rescue activities. On December 10, 1971 President Nixon took decision to send a naval task force to Bay of Bengal from Indo-China (from the Seventh fleet). It consisted aircraft carrier Enterprise (with Phantoms and Nuclear warheads ),amphibious attack-ship Tripoli (commando carrier) with required mariners, a guided missile frigate, some destroyers and dock landing supply ship. Due to Indian quick action its intention to help Pakistan was not possible .The war was over.
Bengali mariners has established Bangladesh Navy. It establishment day was 10th December, 1971. Because on that day their Naval ship Padma and Palash were destroyed and sunk by Indian air attack (by mistake, still specialists having mixed re-action about this mysterious attack). (ˆmq` Av‡bvqvi †nv‡mb, gyw³ hy‡Ïi BwZnvm PP©v – ZË¡ I c×wZ , Abycg cÖKvkbx XvKv, 2000).
To establish Bangladesh Navy, in the month of September 1971 from port commissioner of calcutta Bangladesh Government collected two ships. They were re-named M.V. Palash and M.V. Padma. In each ship two 40mm guns were installed to make those war worthy. Initially 45 defected seamen from Pakistan Navy operated them. By November 1971 about 860 Naval Commandos were trained. Day by day Bangladesh Navy is getting newer Warships and other devices from various countries. It is the demand of the day that it should be more powerful with latest naval war equipments that will be capable enough to safeguard its sea area from foreign invasion. Coast Guard of Bangladesh will have also to be equipped with latest equipments and skill manpower to safeguard national properties from local and international ( Thai, Burmese of Myanmar etc.) smugglers & pirates. Seamen of both the organizations must also be trained to help natural calamity affected persons of coastal area and isolated islands of Bangladesh and of neighboring countries .They must also have to work with marines of other countries for the same purpose. In the past also US Navy and Navies of other countries came to help our cyclone affected people of coastal areas and isolated islands.(SMSU)
Reference:
1.AvmMi kwdKzj , BwZnvm K_v Kq (M‡elbv gjK MÖš’) , Îqx cÖKvkbx , XvKv 1986|
2.Avjx bvwmi †gvnv¤§` (Abyw`Z ), Be‡b eZzZvi mdibvgv , evsjv GKv†Wgx , XvKv 1968|
3.gwjK †`eeªZ , †bŠKv ( M‡elbv Kg©),‡`k, KwjKvZv , 6,Ryb1992|
4.Burger W, M.Sc (Wales), Radar observer’s handbook for Merchant Navy Officers,
Brown son & Ferguson, Ltd., Nautical Publishers, Glasgow, 1978.
5.O’ Neil B.G. Commander, Dover Strait Pilot, The Hydrographer of the Navy,
England, 1971.
6.Singh Sukhwant Major General, India’s Wars Since Independence, Defence of the Western Border (vol. two ), Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, 1981.
7.Various Encyclopaedias, other publications, manuscript ( of contributor about Navigation), News papers etc.
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