Bangladesh’s four local airlines are preparing to expand their international networks in 2026 as overseas travel demand continues to grow, mainly driven by migrant workers and leisure travellers. In 2024, Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport handled around 12.5 million international passengers, nearly 7 percent higher than the previous year, reflecting a steady post pandemic recovery. However, more than 70 percent of Bangladesh’s international air travel market is still dominated by 37 foreign airlines, pushing local carriers to explore new routes across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
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Industry insiders say private airlines US Bangla, NovoAir and Air Astra together plan to launch at least 15 new international routes, while state owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines aims to add destinations beyond its Dhaka Karachi relaunch scheduled for 29 January, subject to aircraft availability. US Bangla is preparing for flights to London and Rome and plans to start services to Madinah, but says it needs three to four more aircraft to support expansion. NovoAir and Air Astra, currently operating only domestic flights, are targeting destinations such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat and Nepal once leased aircraft are secured.
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Despite strong demand, expansion plans are being slowed by a global shortage of aircraft. Manufacturing delays, leasing constraints and supply chain disruptions since the Russia Ukraine war have made it difficult to secure planes, particularly narrow body jets. Between 2021 and 2025, about 50 lakh Bangladeshis migrated abroad for work, sustaining outbound travel growth, but airlines say future expansion will depend largely on how quickly leased aircraft become available as global production gradually normalizes.