Bangladesh Bank has introduced the opportunity to buy international airline tickets using international bank cards while physically being in the country.
The central bank has taken this decision to increase the convenience of customers in buying tickets, ensure fair competition, and encourage digital transactions.
A circular in this regard was issued to authorized dealer (AD) banks on Wednesday.
Earlier, international cards could only be used to cover expenses while traveling abroad.
Due to limited digital payment facilities in the country, many could not buy tickets at fair or competitive prices.
With the introduction of the new policy, passengers will now have the opportunity to buy tickets for any valid foreign route with an international card while staying in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Bank directive stated:
- Bangladeshi passengers with appropriate visas can buy tickets of international airlines operating in the country using international cards.
- The money from ticket sales must be settled through the payment system of Bangladesh's banks.
- This income will be recorded as foreign currency in the banking sector, which will bring transparency in the management of foreign currency flows.
In addition, the international card issued under the travel quota has also been allowed to refill the money spent on tickets later.
However, the condition is that the bank will ensure that the card can be refilled only after the ticket sale money is deposited in the inter-banking channel.
Airlines have been allowed to deposit ticket sale money in a foreign currency account with banks located in Bangladesh.
As per the rules, the surplus money in this account can be legally sent abroad without converting it into Taka.
Aviation sector stakeholders say that this initiative will bring Bangladesh's ticketing system in line with international digital standards.
This will reduce the price difference between domestic and foreign channels and strengthen the monitoring of foreign currency flows through banking channels.
