DHAKA, June 26, 2024 (BSS) - Civil aviation and tourism minister M Faruk Khan today asked Biman Bangladesh Airlines to take necessary measures for overcoming its pilot shortage issue. 

He directed Biman to recruit pilots and cabin crews soon by maintaining existing recruitment policies with due transparency to overcome the issue regarding the pilot shortage. 

The minister said the national carrier needs more both cockpit and cabin crews as Biman started flight operations in several new international destinations in last few years while more new routes are on card.
 
He made the directives while holding an exchange views meeting with the Biman's management at the Biman headquarters Balaka in the capital, a press release said here. 
 
During the meeting, the Minister was briefed on the various issues of Biman Bangladesh Airlines' operations.

The minister also put emphasis on passenger service quality and asked officials to make sure that the Biman's call centre remains open 24 hours. 

He also gave stress on undertaking aircraft maintenance regularly on due time following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). 

Biman Board of Directors chairman and former Senior Secretary Mustafa Kamal Uddin and Biman's Managing Director and CEO Mohammad Zahidul Islam Bhuiyan along with directors and senior officials of the airline attended the meeting.

Earlier, Faruk Khan along with Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated a shuttle bus service of BRTC at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) for tourists, expatriates and general passengers to reduce their sufferings.

Road Transport and Highways Division secretary ABM Amin Ullha Nuri, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Chairman Md Tazul Islam, among others, were present in the programme.

Later, Faruk Khan held a meeting with CAAB high officials at its headquarters. 

The minister gave directives to the CAAB to increase its revenue earnings as well as to ensure transparency in procurements and development projects.