Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday laid emphasis on improving service quality of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, asking the national flag carrier to put concentration on learning and adopting new technologies to reduce dependency on others.
"Biman should put concentration on learning and adopting new technologies to cut dependency on others as it will help save foreign currency," she said.
The premier said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines at Balaka Bhaban in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as the chief guest.
She joined the function virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.
Referring to the first ever successful completion of landing gears replacement of modern Boeing 777-300 ER and C-check of Boeing 787 with own management and human resources, she said the process has saved huge foreign currency of Biman alongside reducing dependency on the others.
The prime minister said Biman's ground handling management was not up to the mark in the past, but the government is working to establish a separate unit to develop it as a more standard section.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina told the airline that the training and manpower are needed to make the ground handing management system efficient.
"You (Biman authority) have to focus on ground handling so that it could be done with honesty and efficiency," she said.
She added that the unit (ground handling) is needed to be formed as soon as possible so necessary skilled manpower is recruited for an improved passengers' service.
With State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali in the chair, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal delivered the address of welcome.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain also spoke on the occasion.
Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Board of Directors Sajjadul Hassan was present.
At the outset of the function, a video documentary on the operation of Biman Bangladesh Airlines was screened.
The prime minister said the Biman can provide different flight entertainment services along with WiFi due to incorporation of the 4th generation aircraft to its fleet.
Mentioning that people don't want to sit idle in this modern era rather they want to do their business work, the premier said, "The modern aircraft of Biman is giving these opportunities to its passengers".
She said expatriate Bangalees always prefer to travel by Biman and the management should take measures to improve service quality keeping it in mind.
Revealing that Biman is going to digitalise its passenger service system (PSS) fully in the first week of next March, she said ticketing, reservation, check-in and other services will be done online through the PSS.
She expressed the hope that it would be very enjoyable for the country's expatriates.
During the Covid-19 period, Sheikh Hasina said Biman has extended effective and useful services such as transporting different medical equipment, vaccine, bringing students and expatriate workers back home and carrying armed forces and police members to UN peace-keeping mission.
She added, "It has brightened Bangladesh's image abroad and also demonstrated our skill."
She also mentioned that her government has given Biman Tk 1,000 crore as stimulus package during Covid-19 alongside other organisations to run their activities effectively.
Referring to the ongoing construction work of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), the premier said after the completion of the work, it would boost Biman's operational capability.
The government is also installing latest and state-of-art technology radar in HSIA which will be helpful and profitable for Biman and other international airlines as well, she added.
The prime minister said they are upgrading the Cox's Bazar Airport into international one as this airport is located on the international route.
She added that the Cox's Bazar Airport has huge opportunities to maintain international communication due to its important location.
Stressing the need for strengthening connectivity among the South Asian Countries, she said country's private airline has started to operate flight to Maldives as Biman should expand its wing more in this region.
She said the government is developing Syedpur Airport further so that neighbouring countries Nepal, Bhutan and India can use it alongside Chattogram and Sylhet airports.
She went on saying, "More investment comes in the country as the communication system becomes more developed," adding that the government is developing 100 special economic zones across the country.
Stating that cargo transportation is very essential, the head of the government said the cargo flight has already started from Sylhet.
"I want that Biman should have its own cargo aircraft and at least two cargo aircraft are needed to be bought as cargo transportation might be profitable for Biman," she said.
She also said her government wants Biman's ground handling and cargo handling systems to be of international standard.
Regarding the custom services, the premier said the services have to be made fully digital so people don't face any hassle in the airport as whenever they go abroad they want to buy and bring something to the country.
She also asked the authorities concerned to be more careful in providing service to the expatriates as over one crore people live abroad and they come home during vacation.
The prime minister reiterated her call to the countrymen to maintain health safety protocols to escape Covid-19.
Sheikh Hasina also recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who had established Biman Bangladesh Airlines alongside other organisations during his short three years and six months tenure.