A new set of rules on the use of private helicopters in the country came into effect on Tuesday as the government looks to increase scrutiny of the booming industry and check the use of helicopters for the smuggling of goods and persons.
The gazette on the operation of helicopters under the Establishment and Operation of Heliports and Elevated Heliports Rules-2023 was published on June 12. The implementation of the rules will be supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
A senior Civil Aviation Ministry official told Dhaka Tribune several provisions have been added to the new rules to ensure safety in helicopter services and prevent smuggling on unscheduled routes.
Helicopter operators will now have to submit flight details to CAAB at least 24 hours before takeoff, except for emergency medical services, he added.
The helicopter business has been booming in Bangladesh over the past two decades, propelled by medical services and corporate air travel, industry stakeholders said.
The process
Under the rules, an operator has to prescribe land for the installation of a heliport, helicopter parking, taxiway, and necessary safe and barrier-free area around the heliport, a terminal, and other important facilities or equipment.
They have to submit a detailed financial tentative framework for setting up the heliport, up-to-date certificate of income tax payment, and a land agreement letter should be submitted along with the application.
The heliport should be constructed following the existing KPI safety guidelines and building construction regulations.
The new rules permit the construction of heliports on the rooftops of multi-storey buildings, corporate offices, residential hotels, hospitals, and privately owned land. However, those who wish to install heliports and use helicopters must first get No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from several government institutions.
An operator has to collect NOCs from the Ministry of Defence, the Public Security Division, Security Service Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Fire Services, Directorate General of Defence Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and the local government institution concerned (city corporation, municipality, or union parishad).
In addition, If the operator is not the owner of the land on which the heliport will be built, then they will need an NOC from the landowner as well. The NOCs should be submitted as per the provisions of the KPI policy.
Even after obtaining the NOCs and constructing the heliport, a license is required to actually use it. However, the elevated heliport operator can sign an agreement with a certified helicopter operator for the operation of the heliport.
The new rules also specify that sufficient qualified and experienced manpower be employed for the installation and operation of the heliport.
Loan defaulters and those involved in anti-state activities will not get permission to construct heliports. If any operator wants to use a route other than the prescribed route, they have to get permission from CAAB.
The time limit for using heliports has been fixed from sunrise to sunset.
Current picture of domestic helicopter industry
In 1963, Pakistan International Airlines operated a commercial helicopter network between more than 20 cities, including Dhaka. Passengers were charged an air fee of TK20 to TK25 per hour.
The price of renting a helicopter now ranges from Tk60,000 to Tk2,20,000 per hour, depending on the size of the helicopter.
According to CAAB, 10 private aviation companies are currently providing charter helicopter services for corporate use, VIP transport, emergency medical evacuation, and leisure trips in Bangladesh. The companies are South Asian Aviation, Meghna Aviation, Square Air, BRB Air, ATL Aviation, Partex Aviation, R&R Aviation, Bangla International Airlines, Bashundhara Airways, and BCL Aviation.
In 1999, Bangladesh's first chartered flight was operated by Best Aviation Limited.
In 2000, Aero Technologies Ltd brought in AS 350B and MI-8MTV helicopters to operate VIP, Medevac, chartered and cargo flights. Later, business groups Square, Meghna, Bashundhara and BRB bought a number of helicopters for rental purposes.
In 2009, Square Air launched a helicopter service to ensure safe and pleasant transport for its top executives. Later, they began offering emergency medical services as well.
The next year, BRB Air stepped into the aviation industry following an expansion of its helicopter service, which was restricted to charter flights for BRB Group's top officials.
Industry insiders said the number of private helicopters has risen to 32 from only two in 2000, and helicopter services have flourished since 2010.
An official from Square Air Limited told Dhaka Tribune: "Helicopters are essential for medical emergencies. Patients can now travel from the airport to the nearest hospital easily."
He expressed hope that air transport would become smoother once the new rules are implemented.
An official of Bashundhara Aviation's partner Helicopter Rent Bangladesh said people have been renting helicopters for medical, wedding, and religious purposes more frequently in the last three years.
