Bangladesh Bank Allows International Cards For Buying Foreign Airline Tickets

Dhaka, September 29, 2026 — Bangladesh Bank (BB) has permitted passengers to purchase tickets for foreign airlines using international cards, expanding overseas payment options and facilitating international travel for Bangladeshi passengers.

📋 Policy Change Details

• 💳 Permitted: purchasing foreign airline tickets using international cards
• 💳 Regulator: Bangladesh Bank
• 💳 Beneficiaries: passengers travelling on foreign airlines
• 💳 Impact: expanded payment options for international travel

💼 Context: Bangladesh's Foreign Exchange Controls

Bangladesh has foreign exchange controls that limit overseas spending:

• 💰 BB regulates all foreign exchange transactions
• 💰 International card usage was previously restricted for certain transactions
• 💰 Foreign exchange reserves — BB manages reserves at approximately $19-20 billion
• 💰 Import controls — BB has imposed various import restrictions to manage reserves

🛬 Bangladesh's Aviation And Travel Context

• ✈ Biman Bangladesh Airlines — national flag carrier
• ✈ US-Bangla Airlines — largest private carrier, ranked 4th in South Asia
• ✈ Novoair — private domestic carrier
• ✈ Foreign airlines serving Bangladesh: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and others
• ✈ Major routes: Middle East (expatriate workers), Southeast Asia, Europe, North America

💼 Why This Matters

The policy change is significant for several reasons:

• 💰 Convenience for travellers — international card payments are more convenient than cash or bank drafts
• 💰 Expatriate community — millions of Bangladeshis working abroad need to buy tickets for family visits
• 💰 Business travel — facilitating international business travel
• 💰 Tourism — supporting both inbound and outbound tourism
• 💰 Foreign exchange management — the policy change reflects BB's evolving approach to FX management

📜 Looking Ahead

The policy change represents a gradual liberalisation of Bangladesh's foreign exchange controls — making it easier for Bangladeshi travellers to access international payment options. For the aviation sector, the change could:

• 📝 Increase ticket sales for foreign airlines operating in Bangladesh
• 📝 Improve competition in the airline ticket market
• 📝 Support the growth of international travel
• 📝 Facilitate business and tourism travel

The move aligns with broader efforts to modernise Bangladesh's financial system and integrate it more closely with global payment networks.