Biman to operate Hajj flights with own aircraft

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has completed preparation to operate Hajj flights with its own aircraft by decreasing flight frequency on other routes, said state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali on Monday.
He said that Bangladesh Biman was ready to launch special flights for Hajj accordingly on May 31.
‘We want to start flight on May 31 if Hajj agencies are ready to send Hajj pilgrims,’ he said after visiting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The minister said that Biman would operate flights with its own aircraft this year cancelling flights to other destinations.
With only 21 aircraft in its fleet, Bangladesh Biman had usually to lease planes from elsewhere to operate Hajj flights.
Biman managing director Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal said that after Hajj package was declared, jet fuel price increased by Tk 6 a litre, and if it continued, Biman might rethink about the airfare for Hajj passengers.
Biman would operate 65 flights to carry the pilgrims while the rest by Saudia Airlines.
The state minister also asked the airport authorities to ensure quality services for passengers eradicating all sorts of harassment.
He claimed that the overall service of the airport had improved a lot, and people would have to suffer a little until the ongoing renovation work was done.
To improve the ground handling services, the government has taken initiatives as the airport is struggling with 21,000 passengers daily, said the junior minister.
‘Now there is no scope of any luggage theft, but it needs time to ensure quality services,’ he said.
Biman MD Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal said that they had invested twice – Tk 80 crore and again 22 crore – to improve ground handling.
‘We have invested a considerable amount of money while the setting up of equipment is in the pipeline; so benefit will come after certain time,’ he pointed out.
The deputy minister added that they had put all ports including airports on Monkeypox alert; all passengers were screened and observed upon their arrival.
Civil aviation and tourism secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, CAAB chairman Md Mofidur Rahman, Biman Bangladesh Airlines board chairman Sajjadul Hassan, CAAB member Abu Saleh Mahmud Mannafi and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport executive director Muhammed Kamrul Islam, among others, were present during the visit by the state minister.