Biman may change business plans

The newly-appointed managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines Mokabbir Hossain said previous business plans of the entity may be changed, if necessary, to make it viable.

He made the remark while answering questions in his first press conference at Biman's Balaka office in the city on Wednesday after taking charge of the national flag carrier on Sunday (September 15).

The new MD and CEO also said the culprits, who have been involved with corruption and irregularities, will be punished with the help of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Regarding easy exit of some officials involved with various corruption and irregularities, Mr Mokabbir said there are instances of punishment, but all are not known to media. There are also some actions pending with the ACC.

The integrity issues are being handled under a legal framework. Many of the offenders have already been punished. Others, who have been identified recently, await punitive actions, he added.

"I cannot comment on our fleet plan or business plan, as there are some technicalities, and I have information gap also (right now). Aviation sector is a dynamic one. If any business plan was taken a few years back, it may be changed with the changing time."

Any plan can be revised. But the main objective is to run the business lawfully, he further said.

"I can assure you that I have no other agenda or hidden affairs. Everything will be done transparently."

The major challenge is to advance the organisation by fulfilling its targets and objectives, he noted.

In his brief statement, the new MD and CEO said now there is hardly any allegation regarding the Biman's safety-related issues, as these are addressed with utmost importance. Its service quality and ground service have also improved. But it is a continuous process.

Regarding on-time arrival, he said the issue of flight delay due to any Biman employee's fault will be dealt with priority.

Mokabbir Hossain, who worked as an additional secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has been made the 39th Biman MD.

He replaced acting MD and CEO Capt Farhat Jamil, who served for five months, after the Biman board of directors fired the 37th MD and CEO Mosaddique Ahmed on April 30.

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