Dhaka, June 18 -- The government has moved to upgrade eight Short Take-Off and Landing ports (STOLports) into full-fledged domestic airports as part of a master plan to expand air connectivity across Bangladesh.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam also told parliament on Thursday that Biman Bangladesh Airlines will sign a deal with Boeing to procure 14 additional aircraft to expand its fleet.

Responding to separate questions from lawmakers Md Abu Taleb Mandal of Pabna-4 and Sarwar Jamal Nizam of Chattogram-13 during the question-and-answer session, the minister said the initiatives are part of broader efforts to strengthen national aviation infrastructure.

She said the government has pledged in its election manifesto to d...