21/03/2026
✍️ Opinion | Time to build an accountable Biman
Bangladesh’s national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, stands at a critical crossroads. What should have been a symbol of national pride is now facing serious questions—not just about efficiency, but about safety, integrity, and accountability.
⚠️ A crisis of trust: Pilot licence fraud
The revelation that senior pilots were operating with forged licences is not just an internal issue—it is a direct threat to passenger safety.
Let’s be clear:
👉 This is not a minor administrative error
👉 This is a systemic failure
Even more concerning is the response:
Investigation completed ✔
Evidence found ✔
Action taken ❌
Delays, excuses, and passing responsibility between Biman and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) only deepen public distrust.
👉 If aviation safety is negotiable, then nothing is safe.
🛑 Accountability cannot wait
Allowing accused pilots to continue flying—especially one facing serious misconduct allegations—sends a dangerous message:
👉 “Operational convenience matters more than safety.”
This is unacceptable in any airline, let alone a national carrier.
Accountability delayed = accountability denied.
✈️ Bigger problem: Mismanagement and blind expansion
Beyond the licensing scandal, a deeper structural issue exists:
Expensive aircraft bought but underutilised
Massive debt burden
No clear route expansion strategy
Yet, plans are underway to purchase 14 new aircraft worth Tk 30,000–35,000 crore.
👉 The key question is simple:
Where is the plan?
Do we have enough trained pilots?
Do we have maintenance capacity?
Do we have profitable routes?
If not, this is not investment—it is financial risk disguised as growth.
💸 Public money, private opacity
The most troubling part? These purchases are backed by a sovereign guarantee.
👉 That means:
If Biman fails → the people of Bangladesh pay
And yet:
No transparent roadmap
No public debate
No accountability
👉 This is not how a national institution should operate.
🔍 What Biman must do now
To rebuild trust and ensure long-term sustainability:
✔ Take immediate action against licence fraud
✔ Ensure independent audit and regulatory oversight
✔ Publish a clear aircraft procurement and expansion plan
✔ Strengthen transparency at board level
✔ Prioritise safety over operational pressure
💬 Final thought
A national airline is more than a business—it is a reflection of a country’s standards.
Right now, Biman reflects uncertainty, opacity, and weak accountability.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
👉 With transparency, planning, and strict enforcement, Biman can still become a carrier Bangladesh can be proud of.
Because in aviation, there is one rule that cannot be compromised:
Safety first. Always.
📌 Source
The Daily Star (Editorial)
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