In a major policy shift aimed at modernising the country’s air travel ecosystem, Bangladesh Bank has authorised resident Bangladeshis to use their international payment cards to purchase outbound air tickets directly from airlines operating within Bangladesh. The decision is expected to significantly enhance convenience for passengers and help eliminate persistent price inconsistencies in the local ticketing market.
For years, travellers flying out of Bangladesh have faced difficulties securing competitively priced air tickets because many foreign airlines did not accept card-based payments issued in Bangladesh. This forced passengers to rely on cash transactions, third-party agents, or overseas websites, often resulting in higher costs, limited transparency, and delayed bookings. The newly introduced policy effectively removes these longstanding barriers, aligning Bangladesh’s aviation payment system with global digital standards.
According to the central bank, any resident Bangladeshi holding a valid visa for their destination will now be able to purchase tickets online or at airline offices using international cards issued by Bangladeshi banks. This applies to all foreign carriers operating in the country, including airlines serving popular destinations such as Singapore, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and London.
Officials at Bangladesh Bank clarified that although international cards were previously allowed for travel-related transactions, their use was limited to expenses incurred abroad. Ticket purchases made within Bangladesh remained outside the scope of card-based international settlements. This regulatory gap often resulted in inflated prices and a lack of digital payment options.
To maintain transparency and ensure proper oversight of foreign exchange flows, all ticket proceeds must be settled through authorised dealer (AD) banks located in Bangladesh. The central bank has also permitted international travel cards to be refilled up to the exact amount spent on ticket purchases — but only after AD banks confirm full realisation of the payment through domestic banking channels.
In an additional move likely to benefit international carriers, Bangladesh Bank has allowed airlines to retain ticket sale proceeds in foreign currency accounts maintained with AD banks. These balances may be used to remit surplus earnings abroad without converting them into Bangladeshi Taka, provided regulatory conditions are met.
Industry experts welcomed the decision, describing it as a much-needed step towards digital integration and pricing transparency in the aviation sector. They believe the updated rules will help reduce discrepancies between local and overseas ticket prices, enhance customer experience, and strengthen foreign exchange monitoring by shifting payments from informal channels to formal banking systems.