Muhith threatens to shut Biman
Monday, 1 October 2012
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith Sunday threatened to shutdown the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, if it does not improve its operations, stating that it is the "most inefficient and incompetent" organisation in the country, report agencies.
"There is no other organisation in Bangladesh as inefficient and incompetent as Biman Bangladesh Airlines. If they cannot make any development in their management, then the government will have to declare its shutdown."
He pointed out that everyone is aggravated at the quality of service the airline provides, adding that the 'incompetent' organisation is only being maintained for the 'greater good of the country'.
The minister also expressed his frustration over the various irregularities at the programme organised at the Sylhet Osmani International Airport, marking the start of direct flights to and from London.
"Biman should have been shut down much earlier for its ineptitude and mismanagement," he said.
He was addressing a function arranged to welcome the passengers of Biman's London-Sylhet direct flight at MAG Osmani International Airport here in the morning.
The Sylhet-London direct flight, which was suspended about 10 months back, resumed Sunday in the face of a strong demand by local people.
The Boeing 777 flight of Bangladesh Biman, carrying 420 passengers, landed at the Osmani Airport at about 8:40am.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan was present on the occasion.
Muhith along with Faruk Khan welcomed the passengers on their arrival.
Speaking on the occasion, Faruk Khan said that the passengers from Sylhet would not be able to fly directly to London now due to lack of 'refuelling' facilities at the airport.
He assured the people that the direct outbound flights would start operating within the next six months. "The government has undertaken the necessary initiatives."
As the Hajj flights from Sylhet start on Oct 11, only a weekly flight will operate on the Sylhet-London route for the time being. After the end of the Hajj season, two planes will operate on the route.
The Sylhet-London-Dubai flight was shut down on Dec 16 due to excessive fog at the airport. Expatriates and travel agents protested the move. The flight resumes after nine months in the face of their demand.
Biman's own Boeing 777 'Palki' touched down at the Sylhet airport at around 8:40am with 474 passengers from London.
"There is no other organisation in Bangladesh as inefficient and incompetent as Biman Bangladesh Airlines. If they cannot make any development in their management, then the government will have to declare its shutdown."
He pointed out that everyone is aggravated at the quality of service the airline provides, adding that the 'incompetent' organisation is only being maintained for the 'greater good of the country'.
The minister also expressed his frustration over the various irregularities at the programme organised at the Sylhet Osmani International Airport, marking the start of direct flights to and from London.
"Biman should have been shut down much earlier for its ineptitude and mismanagement," he said.
He was addressing a function arranged to welcome the passengers of Biman's London-Sylhet direct flight at MAG Osmani International Airport here in the morning.
The Sylhet-London direct flight, which was suspended about 10 months back, resumed Sunday in the face of a strong demand by local people.
The Boeing 777 flight of Bangladesh Biman, carrying 420 passengers, landed at the Osmani Airport at about 8:40am.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan was present on the occasion.
Muhith along with Faruk Khan welcomed the passengers on their arrival.
Speaking on the occasion, Faruk Khan said that the passengers from Sylhet would not be able to fly directly to London now due to lack of 'refuelling' facilities at the airport.
He assured the people that the direct outbound flights would start operating within the next six months. "The government has undertaken the necessary initiatives."
As the Hajj flights from Sylhet start on Oct 11, only a weekly flight will operate on the Sylhet-London route for the time being. After the end of the Hajj season, two planes will operate on the route.
The Sylhet-London-Dubai flight was shut down on Dec 16 due to excessive fog at the airport. Expatriates and travel agents protested the move. The flight resumes after nine months in the face of their demand.
Biman's own Boeing 777 'Palki' touched down at the Sylhet airport at around 8:40am with 474 passengers from London.