POBNEWS24, Desk Report, Feb 23, 2022 : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon Biman Bangladesh Airlines to reduce its dependence on others and focus on learning and adopting new technologies by emphasizing on improving the quality of service of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
“We need to focus more on learning technology and bringing it to fruition,” he said. So that we no longer have to depend on others. It also saves us a lot of foreign currency.
Speaking as the chief guest at a function marking the golden jubilee of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited on Wednesday morning, he said that for the first time Biman Bangladesh Airlines, under its own management and with skilled manpower, has undergone landing gear replacement and Boeing 6’s operational Boeing 8-300 ER aircraft. The aircraft has been able to complete successfully. This has saved a lot of foreign currency.
He was virtually involved in the main event held at Balaka Bhaban of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through video conference from Ganobhaban.
The Prime Minister directed the aviation authorities to ensure that they are able to handle the ground with utmost honesty and efficiency. He also mentioned that training and necessary manpower are required for this and the unit needs to be set up as soon as possible.
Addressing the aviation authorities, the Prime Minister said, “You have to focus on ground handling. We want our cargo handling and aircraft handling – everything to be of very international standard. Special care should be taken so that the passengers do not get in trouble. Then ground handling can be done with honesty and efficiency. ‘
“We also need to fully digitize our customs system,” he said. Because when people come from abroad, maybe they want to buy some product and bring it. So they should not be a victim of any kind of harassment. If it is fully digitized then it will be possible to provide passenger service very easily. He needs to be more aware of that.
He highlighted the various steps taken by his government to modernize the aircraft and stressed the need to increase air connectivity with neighboring countries.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism. Biman Managing Director and CEO presided over the ceremony. Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal and Secretary of the Ministry. Mokammel Hossain also spoke. Chairman of Biman Board of Directors Sajjadul Hasan was present on the occasion.
A video documentary on the past and present activities of Bangladesh Biman was presented at the beginning of the program. The Prime Minister said, we have about one crore expatriates. They come on vacation at different times. They should not be harassed at the airport. They need to ensure proper service.
The Prime Minister said, “Once the project titled ‘Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion’ is completed, the efficiency of our aircraft will be further enhanced when the new terminal building is completed.” Even in this Corona epidemic, its work has not stopped, it continues. Apart from that, we have also taken steps to install new radars with the latest technology. Which will be convenient and profitable for all aircraft flying in our airspace.
Sheikh Hasina said that from the first week of March 2022, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is going to pave the way for online ticketing, reservations, state-of-the-art services including online ticketing, reservation, check-in before arrival at the airport through world-renowned airline service technology i.e. PSS (Passenger Service System). This will increase our reputation.
The Prime Minister also emphasized on increasing flight operations between the countries of South Asia, noting that as Bangladesh Biman Route is an important part of the international aviation route, we have many opportunities to maintain and expand our national and international connectivity.
The Prime Minister said that we need to further enhance our contacts with neighboring South Asian countries. Private Dhaka-Maldives flight has been launched. Arrangements are being made so that the aircraft can also start flying. He also mentioned the need for the airline to have its own cargo Boeing, emphasizing the need for communication with all places and emphasis on cargo transportation.
Sheikh Hasina said the airline would benefit if it had its own cargo transportation system. In that case, I think it is very important to buy at least two cargo planes.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the addition of sophisticated aircraft to the country’s transport aviation sector during his tenure and the poor condition of aircraft during the previous governments.
When the BNP-Jamaat coalition government came to power in 2001, it turned the national flag carrier Biman into a paradise of corruption and looting. They cut off flights to New York, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Narita and Yangon. Extreme losses and mismanagement caused the aircraft to crash. At that time, when I was sitting in the window seat of the plane, the water of AC was falling on me, there was no entertainment system. The Prime Minister termed it as a ‘dilapidated plane’.
Sheikh Hasina said her government took the initiative to add new aircraft to the air force for the first time in ’96 following the steps taken by the Father of the Nation to operate air routes on domestic and international routes. At present, out of 21 aircraft of Biman, 18 aircraft are owned by Biman.
The Prime Minister said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently has four large range Boeing-8-300-ERs, four Dreamliners with four fourth-generation state-of-the-art technology 7-8 and two 7-9, a total of six 737-800s and five Dash-6-400s. There are airplanes.
The Prime Minister said as the fourth generation aircraft is connected, passengers are being provided various types of inflight entertainment services including Wi-Fi facility in the sky. As well as for domestic travel, air-conditioned pleasant coach service has been introduced at the airports for the comfortable departure of passengers from the surrounding cities.
He said he did not have to sit on the plane and sit idle. You can also run a business. We have made that advantage. I have given one thousand crore rupees as an incentive to Biman in Corona epidemic. They have used that.
Requesting that the newly purchased aircraft be properly maintained, the Prime Minister said, “We are upgrading our Syedpur Airport to a higher standard because our neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal or India use our Syedpur Airport, Sylhet and Chittagong Airports.” Can We have to create that opportunity.
He said the construction work of Sylhet Airport is also going on, we also need to develop Shah Amanat Airport in Chittagong. Barisal Airport has also been launched. The service there also needs to be improved. This is most important for the people of our southern region.
Mentioning that 100 special economic zones are being set up across the country, foreigners are being urged to invest there, he said, adding that if the communication system is good, investors will come here and invest faster. We have to pay special attention to that.
