Biman losing huge revenue due to corrupt practice by staffs

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is being deprived of a significant amount of revenue on account of excess baggage due to corrupt practices of a section of staffs dealing with the service.

The Biman authorities have gotten the proof of the allegation on investigation during the return Hajj flights from Jeddah to Dhaka as Biman check- in- staffs at Jeddah Terminal took Saudi Riyals (SR) 60 (equivalent to around Tk1200) for per Kg extra luggage without issuing receipt to the passengers.

A high official of Biman said a Saudi national-Suleman Rasheedy-informed the the Biman management of the illegal practice through email on October 21 last.

On the basis of the allegation, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Biman Kevin John Steele directed the officials concerned to look into the matter immediately.

In his directive he said, "All excess baggage must be accounted for with a voucher for payment. Any discrepancies found will be severely dealt with, including dismissal."

Biman sent immediately a team to inspect undocumented excess baggage of the flights that fly from Jeddah Airport for carrying Hajj passengers.

The team led by DGM CQRM Muhammed Abdul Wadud along with two members- Manager Flight Safety (acting) Mujibur Rahman and Security Officer Sayed Ahmed, carried out an inspection on a flight-- BG2016 carrying 314 Hajis from Jeddah Airport on October 22.

Sources said the members of the team interrogated some Hajis carrying excess baggage and found that three of them paid for excess weight. Only one Haji, Alhaj Abdur Rahim could not show his payment receipt. He carried 40 kgs. According to his verbal statement, he paid SR 150, but staffs concerned at Jeddah terminal did not give him any money receipt.

According to the conversation with other Hajis, money for excess baggage was received by the staff at Jeddah airport, but in most of the cases, they did not provide them withs any money receipt.  

In the allegation, Saudi national-Suleman Rasheedy said Biman check- in- staffs and security personnel at King Abdul Aziz Hajj Terminal in Jeddah are involved in taking money without providing any receipt for the excess baggage.

 "I have seen they take Saudi Riyals (SR) 60 for per kg excess weight and realise more than SR 500 to 700 per passenger," Mr  Rasheedy said and added that "This racket is continuing this illegal practice with impunity".

In another email on October 23, he mentioned that the check- in- staffs and security men were seen collecting SR10,460 from the each passenger of the flight of BG2020 carrying 312 passengers at 8PM. However, they showed only 5 kgs of excess baggage in this flight.

Biman is conducting five flights each week from Jeddah to Dhaka for carrying around 44 thousands Hajj passengers. Normally, Hajis are allowed to carry 30 kgs each in their luggage. But a large number of Hajis carry a luggage more than their allowed limit. However, the state- owned airlines is not getting the extra baggage charge, Biman sources said.