C T Online Desk: Feb 23, 2022 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid emphasis on improving service quality of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, asking
the national flag carrier to put concentration on learning and adopting new
technologies to cut dependency on others.
“Biman should put concentration on learning and adopting new technologies
to cut dependency on others as it will help save foreign currency,” she said.
The premier said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the Golden
Jubilee celebration of the state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines at Balaka
Bhaban in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as the chief guest.
She joined the function virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban
here.
Referring to the first ever successful completion of landing gears
replacement of modern Boeing 777-300 ER and C-check of Boeing 787 with own
management and human resources, she said the process has saved huge foreign
currency of Biman alongside reducing dependency on others.
The prime minister said Biman’s ground handling management was not up to
the mark in the past, but the government is working to establish a separate
unit to develop it as a more standard section.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina told the airline that the training and
manpower is needed to make the ground handing management system efficient.
“You (Biman authority) have to focus on ground handling so that it can be
done with honesty and efficiency,” she said.
She added that the unit (ground handling) is needed to be formed as soon as
possible so necessary skilled manpower is recruited for an improved
passengers’ service.
With State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali in the
chair, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) Dr. Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal delivered the welcome address.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md. Mokammel Hossain also spoke.
Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Board of Directors Sajjadul Hassan was
present.
At the outset of the function, a video documentary on the operation of
Biman Bangladesh Airlines was screened.
The prime minister said the Biman can provide different flight
entertainment services along with WiFi due to incorporation of 4th generation
aircraft to its fleet.
Mentioning that people don’t want to sit idle in this modern era rather
they want to do their business work, the premier said, “The modern aircraft
of Biman is giving these opportunities to its passengers”.
She said expatriate Bangalees always prefer to travel by Biman and keeping
it in mind, the management should take measures to improve service quality.
Revealing that Biman is going to digitalise its passenger service system
(PSS) fully in the first week of next March, she said ticketing, reservation,
check-in and other services will be done online through the PSS.
She hoped that it would be very enjoyable for the country’s expatriates.
During the Covid-19 period, Sheikh Hasina said Biman has extended effective
and useful services such as transporting different medical equipment,
vaccine, bringing students and expatriate workers back home and carrying
armed forces and police members to UN peace keeping mission.
She added, “It has brightened Bangladesh’s image abroad and also
demonstrated our skillfulness.”
She also mentioned that her government has given Biman Taka 1,000 crore as
stimulus package during Covid-19 alongside other organisations to run their
activities effectively.
Referring to the ongoing construction work of third terminal of Hazrat
Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), the premier said after the completion
of the works, it would boost Biman’s operational capability.
The government is also installing latest and state-of-art technology radar
in HSIA which will be helpful and profitable for Biman and other
international airlines as well, she added.
The prime minister said they are upgrading the Cox’s Bazar Airport into
international one as this airport is located in the international route.
She added that the Cox’s Bazar Airport has huge opportunities to maintain
international communication due to its important location.
Stressing the necessity of strengthening connectivity among the South Asian
Countries, she said country’s private airline has started to operate flight
to Maldives as Biman should expand wing more in this region.
She said the government is developing Syedpur Airport further so
neighbouring countries Nepal, Bhutan and India can use it alongside
Chattogram and Sylhet Airports.
She went on saying, “More investment comes in the country as the
communication system becomes more developed,” adding that the government is
developing 100 special economic zones across the country.
Stating that cargo transportation is very essential, the head of the
government said the cargo flight has already started from Sylhet.
“I want that Biman should have own cargo aircraft and at least two cargo
aircrafts are needed to be bought as cargo transportation might be profitable
for Biman,” she said.
She also said her government wants Biman’s ground handling and cargo
handling systems to be international standard.
Regarding the custom services, the premier said the services have to be
made fully digital so people don’t face any hassle in the airport as whenever
they go abroad they want to buy and bring something to the country.
She also asked the concerned authorities to be more careful in providing
service to the expatriates as over one crore people live abroad and they come
home during vacation.
The prime minister reiterated her call to the countrymen to maintain health
safety protocols to escape Covid-19.
Sheikh Hasina also recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who established Biman Bangladesh Airlines
alongside other organisations during his short three years and six months
tenure.
