Biman Bangladesh Airlines has made changes to the list of aircraft maintenance engineers for the upcoming Hajj season, officials have said.
Sources at the Engineering and Material Management Directorate told Dhaka Tribune on Thursday that the primary list of engineers was revised based on pre-aircraft inspection (PFI) and CAAB license.
However, Biman did not disclose the names of the engineers enlisted for the Hajj transport, they noted.
Biman spokesperson on Thursday shared a notice that said Biman planned to operate Hajj flights using its own aircraft, the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner this year.
As maintenance certification by foreign airlines during Hajj is expensive, Biman has taken the initiative to complete the certification process with its own engineering officers, the notice said.
"Already, a preliminary list of licensed engineering officers of the concerned aircraft, as per the prevailing rules of aviation and provided by CAAB, has been prepared and is under the process of approval," the reminder added.
The remainder also noted that the enlisted engineering officers have PFI of respective aircraft and other necessary licenses, approvals, skills, and experience.
However, Tahera Khandaker, the spokesperson for Biman, could not be reached for the names of the enlisted engineers.
Earlier, Dhaka Tribune reported that the national flag carrier selected eight engineers for aircraft maintenance in this year's Hajj flight operations. None of them holds a CAAB license.
According to the rules, engineers who have a license for PFI and another license issued by the CAAB can be deployed to maintain aircraft.
However, Biman Bangladesh Airlines selected engineers who only have the PFI license.
According to sources, Biman has no shortage of engineers who have both certificates and experience.
On Tuesday, a high official of CAAB, seeking anonymity, told Dhaka Tribune that a PFI-licensed engineer cannot rectify a problem.
He suggested that Biman revise its list to ensure smooth Hajj operations.
The official further said Biman's Boeing-777s are used for transporting pilgrims during the Hajj season as its capacity is higher than that of Boeing-787.
Biman Chief Engineer (Production) ARM Kaiser Zaman proposed the original names of the engineers, but he is currently embroiled in a question paper leak scandal and accused of irregularities in leasing two aircrafts from Egypt Air.
Members of the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Biman (SAEB) and CAAB expressed concerns about maintaining the image of the country and Biman Bangladesh Airlines during the Hajj session.
Biman Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim said the primary list of engineers would be reviewed to ensure that no controversial engineer is selected for Hajj flight maintenance.
This year, Biman will transport some 63,599 pilgrims using four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and a 787 Dreamliner.
Previously, a Kuwait Airways engineering team assisted Biman during the Hajj season.
But this year, an agreement will be signed to pick engineers from Saudia Airlines to provide technical support.