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began in 2019 and was completed in December 2025 with costs of Tk 942 crore, said sources at the CAAB.

Air Commodore Noor-e-Alam, member (ATM) of CAAB, said ATMC works 24/7 to ensure the safe landing and takeoff of all flights every moment and to ensure the safe and reliable movement in the airspace.

Talking to The Daily Star, he said that the previous air traffic control system was about 40 years old and the radar was also about 35 years old.

He highlighted the significance of the new system, which can detect planes up to 350NM (650km) from Dhaka. “Our Chattagram radar is now integrated with the system. And we can communicate with flights in the Bay of Bengal up to a distance of 450NM [833km].”

“This has opened up an opportunity for us to establish control over deep sea and generate more revenues for the country in future,” said Noor-e-Alam, adding, “Complications in managing traffic has gone with the new system. As it is a complete digital solution with lots of interfaces, we can now work faster, smoother, and safer.”

The ATMC will not only benefit the country but also play a positive role in regional and global aviation, said the top CAAB official.

For decades, the aviation sector had been reliant on antiquated technology. The previous radar system lacked the capability to cover the country’s entire airspace, particularly over the Bay.

This technological gap resulted in significant financial losses, as Bangladesh was unable to effectively track all flights and consequently failed to collect mandatory “flying over charges” from international airlines traversing the region.

Speaking at the inaugural event, Civil Aviation Minister Afroza Khanam expressed pride in the new automated system, stating that it elevates the nation’s airspace capacity to global benchmarks.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming HSIA into a global aviation hub.

State Minister Millat described the installation as the beginning of a technology-driven era for the country’s airspace management.

CAAB chief Mostafa said the modernised ATM-CNS system successfully overcomes long-standing technical limitations, thereby ensuring that Bangladesh’s aviation sector maintains a stronger position at regional and global levels.

French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, who attended the event alongside Thales Vice-President Nicolas Bouverot, described the collaboration as a shining example of mutual trust and friendship between the two nations.