Aviation Reforms to Begin Immediately: Rashiduzzaman

Newly-appointed State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat Wednesday announced an ambitious reform agenda aimed at eliminating corruption and improving passenger services at the country’s airports.

“The reform of the aviation sector will begin immediately, without any delay,” he said at an introductory meeting with ministry officials and journalists, organised at Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry at the Secretariat in the capital to outline his reform plans.

At the briefing, on the first day as a state minister, Millat said his top priorities include dismantling ticketing syndicates, improving baggage handling, stopping harassment of homebound passengers and easing the unnecessarily long and complex procedures faced by migrant workers at airports.

The alleged irregularities and mismanagement at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are beyond description. The photo shows a police member on duty sleeping on a sofa at the recently inaugurated much-hyped Probashi Lounge in the airport. Photo: Collected

“We are committed to a comprehensive overhaul of the aviation sector. We will work wholeheartedly to dismantle the ticketing syndicate, ensure better luggage management and put an end to the suffering of migrant workers at airports,” he said.

Millat said discussions had already been held with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), and a reform plan had been prepared. He met CAAB Chairman Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq and ministry secretary Nasreen Jahan shortly after taking charge.

Responding to widespread concerns over delays in baggage delivery and incidents of theft, the minister emphasised that strict action would be taken to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.

“Migrant workers will not face corruption at the airport and there will be no theft from luggage,” Millat said, adding that the government is working to reduce baggage delivery time so that passengers can collect their luggage shortly after completing immigration formalities and reaching the conveyor belt area.

Passengers are currently forced to wait for a long time to collect their luggage after landing, a situation the minister pledged to improve within a short period.

Speaking to reporters, the state minister also addressed the alleged ticket sales irregularities at Biman Bangladesh Airlines. “We have heard that Biman flights sometimes depart with empty seats while tickets are shown as sold out on Biman’s website. We will address this malpractice and ensure full transparency in ticketing,” he said.

Millat added, “I am confident that significant improvements will be visible within the next two weeks as a result of the implementation of these reform initiatives.”

At the briefing, the new state minister highlighted the government’s long-term plans for the tourism sector. “We will focus on developing the tourism industry as part of our broader strategy for aviation reform. There are comprehensive plans in place to boost tourism and improve service standards,” he noted.

Stressing the government’s commitment to transparency and passenger welfare, the minister warned that corruption in the aviation sector would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroz Khanam Rita, Nasreen Jahan, Secretary to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, senior officials of the ministry, and journalists from online and print media, among others, also attended the event.