Shamshernagar Airport in Moulvibazar was once the airport with the largest runway in Asia. It was also the airport with the second longest runway in the world. However, the airport has been lying unused for more than 50 years. However, Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority has taken the initiative to reopen 7 airports which are abandoned and unused in different districts of the country including Shamsernagar. The airports are Ishwardi, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Bogra, Shamshernagar, Comilla and Tejgaon airports. This initiative was taken to develop the domestic tourism sector of the country and increase passenger transport. Besides, Moulvibazar is a tourist center geographically, as well as considering the convenience of expatriate travel, it is said that this decision has been taken. Necessary work has already started in this regard.
Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority's 2030 action plan and related sources have revealed this information. It is also learned that currently no aircraft are taking off and landing at any of these airports. Some are owned by different organizations. Cattle, including cows and goats, roam freely on the runways of many airports. Some airports do not have any security posts with boundary walls around them. The earlier name of Shamshernagar Airport is 'Dilzand Port'. After independence, the name was changed to 'Shamshernagar Airport'.
This scenic airport is spread over 600 acres amidst the scenic beauty of tea gardens. The airport is connected to a 6000 feet long and 75 feet wide runway. The airport was built before World War II. The purpose of its construction was to be used for military purposes. It is known that Shamshernagar Airport was one of the two big airports that the British built together in 1942 to occupy Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma) and Indonesia during the Second World War. After an accident in 1968, the aircraft ceased operations. Since then, this historical airport has been neglected for 43 years. Due to the indifference and lack of supervision of the concerned authorities, various monuments including the runway of the airport are slowly getting destroyed. An air force unit was opened at this airport in 1975. Later, an Air Force Test School was established here and an annual training center was opened. Since then, the Air Force has been flying training planes and helicopters as needed.
At present Air Force cadets are given various training there. According to the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, there are currently 28 airports in different districts of the country. They were made during the British government. All airports have runway lengths between 3,000 and 3,500 feet. The runways are currently unsuitable for passenger aircraft operations. The Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority has a target to increase the length of these runways from 6,000 to 8,000 feet gradually.
Besides, there is a target of increasing the PCN of the runway from 30 to 60 feet. Then it will be possible to start flight operations with small passenger aircraft of ATR or DAS-8 Q400 model. When this airport is opened, there will be a fundamental change in the travel of domestic and foreign tourists. Civil society believes that there will be a change in the trade and commerce as well as there will be significant improvement in the tourism sector.