Experts Question Military Training Flights Over Dhaka City

Aviation experts and pilots, both military and civilian, have raised concerns over military aircraft conducting training exercises above the densely populated city of Dhaka.

Aviation specialist Kazi Wahidul Alam explained that due to Dhaka’s high population density, flying military training jets in the capital is far riskier compared to other parts of the country where fighter training usually takes place.

“Despite these dangers, air force aircraft still use the only runway at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,” Alam said. “We have long urged relocating the air force base near Dhaka airport, as its presence disrupts commercial airline operations.”

A Bangladesh Air Force pilot, speaking anonymously and belonging to the same cohort as the deceased pilot, said that training over such a crowded area adds challenges.

“Although regulations require the flight path to be clear of buildings taller than one or two storeys, many high-rise structures lie along the route. We must gain altitude quickly and maintain higher altitudes,” the pilot said.

Another veteran pilot, also anonymous, suggested the pilot might have been above the ideal “glide path” and reduced power to descend, risking overshooting the runway. Jet engines take a few seconds to regain full thrust, precious time when landing is imminent.

The FT-7 BGI fighter jet that crashed inside a school compound in Uttara yesterday can reach speeds above Mach 2 (over 2,400 km/h), much faster than commercial planes. Experts say the pilot could have landed safely at the airport just 3.3 kilometres away if everything had gone as planned.

Military and civil aviation professionals question why such training occurs over Dhaka when alternatives exist at bases in Jashore or Chattogram.

One expert, on condition of anonymity, noted few countries allow military training jets to use the same runways as commercial flights. However, some nations with limited land or historical military presence operate joint-use airports.

Imran Asif, an aviation veteran and CEO of Air Astra, stated that the recent fatalities could have been prevented if the training flight had taken place outside Dhaka.

“We have long called for relocating the air base, but Bangladesh is one of the few countries that only acts after tragedies,” he said. He also criticized the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) for not safeguarding civilian passenger safety amid military flights at Dhaka airport.

“Will CAAB now speak out to stop fighter jet training at Dhaka airport for passenger safety?” Asif questioned.

A senior pilot with 32 years’ experience at Biman Bangladesh Airlines added that he has never experienced flight delays caused by air force jets at any airport except Dhaka and Chattogram, which allow such military training flights.

He also blamed unplanned urbanisation around the airport. “Most accidents happen during takeoff and landing, which is why strict rules restrict dense developments like schools and malls near approach paths,” he said. “This accident was waiting to happen.”

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) office confirmed the crash resulted from mechanical failure shortly after takeoff from BAF Base Bangabandhu in Kurmitola. The pilot reportedly tried to guide the plane away from populated areas.