Biman Bangladesh Airlines is planning to use public funds to take 84 individuals, including several top Biman and Civil Aviation Ministry officials, on a promotional familiarization trip to Narita in Japan on September 1.
Multiple sources at the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry said the five-day trip could cost the national carrier as much as Tk60 crore. In addition to Biman and Civil Aviation ministry officials, several journalists, travel agency officials, and their families are set to go on the trip.
Biman has not conducted a feasibility study or finished other required procedures for the trip, the sources claimed.
The Biman authority sent the list of passengers to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry on August 21. The list was reportedly made by Biman General Manager (Revenue) Mohammed Mizanur Rashid and General Manager (Marketing) Mohammed Salahuddin.
When contacted, Biman spokesperson Tahera Khandoker told Dhaka Tribune, “How did you get the list? You had better talk to the Biman managing director and CEO.”
Biman MD and CEO Shafiul Azim acknowledged the trip and said: “First, we are sending a small team with a junior journalist to visit Narita. Later, another high-powered government delegation will visit the place.”
When asked about criticism from aviation industry insiders that the trip is a waste of public funds, the Biman chief said: “Such fun trips are arranged everywhere. There are many good reasons for arranging such a trip.”
The first Biman flight on the route - BG376 - will take off on September 1 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:45pm local time. The flight will touch down in Narita at 09:15am local time on September 2 . Narita flights will be operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Biman had suspended its Dhaka-Tokyo route in 2006, as it was not commercially viable.
TIB calls for accountability
An industry criticized the trip for being arranged in an unplanned manner, using public funds. He also questioned the need for sending such a large delegation as well as their family members.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said this is not the first time that Biman has indulged in an outrageous waste of public money.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said: “It is just mind boggling that a state-owned entity can undertake this hugely expensive pleasure trip with taxpayers money in the face of the highest government level directive to exercise cost-cutting and frugality, including restrictions on foreign trips in particular.”
He called for the trip to be abandoned, and for everyone involved in arranging it to be held accountable.
A total of 25 Civil Aviation Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) officials going on the trip are set to be led by State Minister for Civil Aviation Mahbub Ali. Biman MD and CEO Shafiul Azim and spokesperson Tahera Khandoker will be part of the 24-member Biman delegation, which also includes directors and high officials of the Marketing, Commercial, and other departments.
The journalist delegation will include 21 members, and there will be 10 representatives of travel agencies.