Poor pupils to get chance to become pilots: Minister

Poor and talented students will get an opportunity to become pilots under a government plan to establish a flying academy in collaboration with the Air Force Welfare Trust, as it aims to help talented students from low-income families overcome the high cost of pilot training, which can require around Tk1 crore, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam.

“We want poor and talented students to become pilots. Many young people want to become pilots but cannot pursue their dream because of the cost,” the minister said.

She was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day training programme on aviation journalism at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) in Dhaka on Tuesday. The programme was organised by PIB in collaboration with the Bangladesh Aviation and Tourism Journalists Association (BATJA) and chaired by PIB Director General Faruk Wasif.

The minister said the proposed academy would be established through collaboration between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the Air Force Welfare Trust.

“Biman will teach the students and they will receive flight training. Our first target is to ensure that talented students from poor families can become pilots,” she said, adding that discussions on the initiative were under way.

The minister said she decided to pursue the academy after learning that many talented students were unable to enter the profession because of the high cost of training.

“We have many young people who want to become pilots but cannot afford it. We are moving ahead with this initiative to create opportunities for them,” she said.

She also said Bangladesh faces a shortage of pilots and needs to develop more trained professionals.
Biman revival plan

The minister said the government was working to improve Biman Bangladesh Airlines and restore public confidence in the national flag carrier.

Discussions have been held with Airbus and Singapore-based partners, while work is also under way on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, she added.The government is also considering using the large area in Lalmonirhat for aviation-related activities, although no final decision has been made.

“There is a misconception that Biman can no longer improve. We want to change that perception,” Rita cited.

Third Terminal opening target

On Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Terminal 3, the minister said the government’s current target was to open it on 16 December.
“There is no information with us yet that the opening will be delayed. Our plan at present is to open it on 16 December,” she said. She acknowledged that technical issues could affect the timeline but said efforts were continuing to make the terminal operational as soon as possible.

Call for ethical journalism

PIB Director General Faruk Wasif said aviation journalism should cover not only aviation and tourism but also the economy, national security and Bangladesh’s international image.

“Journalism is not merely a profession or a means of livelihood; it is a great responsibility,” he said.
He urged journalists to strengthen field reporting, fact-checking and investigative journalism and move away from “predatory journalism” and “laptop journalism”.

He also stressed the importance of truth, accountability and public interest in journalism.