The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued a new circular to regulate airfare pricing and ensure transparency in ticket sales for air travelers. The directive, released on Tuesday (January 11) by the CA-2 sub-division of the ministry, was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rumana Yasmin.

According to the circular, all group ticket bookings and any other forms of ticket reservations must be completed with the passenger’s name, passport number, and a photocopy of the passport. If a ticket is not issued in the name of the concerned traveler within three days of booking, the airline will automatically cancel the reservation. Airlines and travel agencies that have already blocked group-booked tickets must confirm the sale of these tickets within the next seven days, including the passenger's details. Failure to do so will result in the automatic cancellation of such bookings by the respective airlines within three days.

Additionally, for group bookings, the actual selling price of the ticket must be reported to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism immediately upon sale. The ministry will then publish the information on its website for public awareness. Furthermore, airlines and travel agencies must ensure that all air tickets are available for online purchase, and the ticket prices must be displayed both online and on the physical ticket itself.

The circular mandates that airlines and travel agencies must comply with the tariff filing regulations stipulated in Rule 289 of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984. The Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) will publish the approved tariff on its official website. Airlines and travel agencies must refrain from selling tickets at prices exceeding the rates submitted by the respective airlines to CAAB. Travel agencies are also required to provide passengers with a receipt for the ticket purchase, ensuring that the ticket price matches the fare set by the airline.

The directive also addresses concerns about hoarding tickets to manipulate prices. If any travel agency stockpiles tickets beyond demand and sells them through secondary agents at inflated prices, their registration certificate will be suspended or revoked under Rule 15 of the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Regulations, 2022.

To support outbound labor migrants, airlines and travel agencies must introduce special fares for workers traveling on work visas. Additionally, airlines operating flights to the Middle East and Malaysia must take necessary steps within the next seven days to reduce ticket fares for expatriate workers.

The circular also enforces strict measures against unregistered travel agencies. Under the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act, 2013, ticket sales through unregistered agencies are strictly prohibited. This move aims to protect passengers from fraudulent ticketing practices and ensure compliance with legal frameworks.

This latest initiative by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism seeks to bring greater transparency, fairness, and regulatory compliance to Bangladesh’s air travel sector. By implementing these guidelines, the government aims to prevent airfare manipulation, protect passengers’ rights, and make air travel more accessible for all citizens.