Ten women were honoured with the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) AviaTour Women’s Icon Award 2026 for their contributions to Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors.
The awards were presented by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat at a ceremony organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) today (14 March) at the All Community Club auditorium in Gulshan.
In the pilot category, Sajidina Sultana Soni, First Officer of Air Astra; Farzana Yasmin, Head of Cabin Service at Novoair, in the cabin crew category; Farhana Yasmin, Senior Executive (Sales and Marketing) at US-Bangla Airlines, in the sales and marketing category; Mousumi Akter, Assistant Manager (Customer Service) at US-Bangla Airlines, in the customer service category; Barrister Mehnaz Mannan, Group Chairman of Bengal Airlift Limited, in the aviation entrepreneur category; Mukta Wahid, Manager (Cabin Service) at US-Bangla Airlines, in the instructor category, while Boshra Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, was honoured in the public relations category.
Among others, Sumaiya Tahmim Bushra, a guide of Riverine Tours, received the award in the tour guide category; Chef Aksa Iqbal of The Westin Dhaka received the award in the culinary tourism category, while Farhana Rahman, owner of Royal Arsalan’s, received the award in the hospitality entrepreneur category.
Speaking at the event, the state minister said the initiative by ATJFB to recognise women’s contributions is commendable. He said the civil aviation and tourism sectors play a key role in Bangladesh’s development and that the government is working to make them more modern, safe and internationally competitive.
He added that women are increasingly taking leadership roles across aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors, including as pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, cabin crew members, airport managers and tourism entrepreneurs. Their achievements will inspire the next generation, he said.
ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar and General Secretary Baten Biplob also spoke at the programme.
Among others present were the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman, Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, Novoair Managing Director, Mofizur Rahman, Sohag Hossain, Managing Director of Rhythm Group and general sales agent of Ethiopian Airlines in Bangladesh, Nuzhat Yasmin, CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, and former CAAB chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mofidur Rahman.
An iftar gathering was held after the ceremony in honour of ATJFB members, award recipients, their family members and stakeholders of the aviation and tourism sectors.
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