Bangladesh’s aviation industry leaders have strongly criticised a government proposal to abolish the rule requiring foreign airlines to appoint local General Sales Agents (GSAs), warning that the move could cause serious harm to jobs, transparency, and regulatory oversight.
The provision, enshrined in the Civil Aviation Act of 2017, currently ensures that all foreign carriers operating in Bangladesh work through authorised GSAs—local representatives responsible for ticket sales, customer service, and compliance with national laws. Industry stakeholders argue that removing this requirement would erode accountability and potentially allow unregulated operations that bypass domestic oversight.
Inter-ministerial Meeting about Bangladesh Aviation
An inter-ministerial meeting has been scheduled to review the proposal about Bangladesh aviation as part of amendments to the 2017 aviation law. Representatives from aviation forums say that without GSAs, thousands of local jobs could be lost, government revenue could decline, and consumer protection could be undermined.
They have urged authorities to keep the GSA provision intact, highlighting its role in maintaining fair market competition, protecting passenger interests, and ensuring that foreign airlines contribute to the country’s economy.
The debate over the GSA requirement comes amid broader discussions about modernising Bangladesh’s aviation regulations, but critics stress that reform should not come at the expense of employment and transparency.
Aviation stakeholders oppose move to scrap mandatory GSA provision.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 12th,2025
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