Steps taken for upgrading Biman's standard: Quader

FE Report

The government has taken necessary measures to achieve Category-1 label, the international standard for the national flag carrier, of US-based Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), civil aviation and tourism minister said.

"We've already taken necessary steps for upgrading the standard of Bangladesh Biman Airlines from category-2 label considering the recommendations of the international regulatory body (FAA). I hope we'll achieve the international standard within eight months," Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader told reporters after attending a 3-day-long regional seminar that began at a city hotel Thursday.

Bangladesh Airline Pilots’ Association (BAPA) organised the seminar named IFALPA Asia/Pacific Regional Meeting 2009 for the third time in Bangladesh, attended by 51 representatives of the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) and aviation experts.

International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) had recently listed the country's aviation industry as a 'Significant Safety Concern' citing air safety and technical difficulties and placed recommendations for overcoming them.

Responding to a query, Mr Quader admitted that the national flag carrier could not be able to fulfil its target due to lack of coordination between the officials of Civil Aviation Authority and Bangladesh Biman. "Initiatives have been taken to minimise the gap between the institutions," he said.

BAPA president Captain SM Helal said the ongoing seminar on safety management system would help the country find a way to overcome the restrictions imposed by the international watchdogs and help the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) with expert suggestions.