Open sky policy?
There have been some suggestions by aviation experts and travel agents that the temporary open sky policy which the Civil Aviation Ministry has allowed be extended for a longer period. I would like to know what is an open sky policy? Does this mean that any airline can fly in and carry away passengers to destinations outside Bangladesh? As far as I know open sky policy is one that is agreed between two countries under a bilateral agreement. For example, the Singapore government has an open sky policy with the USA under which airlines of both the countries can operate as many flights per week they want between the two countries. India has a similar agreement with the US. The Bangladesh government has bilateral air agreements with many countries in the Middle East and Europe but it has remained under utilised by Biman due to its own mismanagement. On the contrary, airlines like the Emirates is taking maximum advantage of the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and the UAE. So are the two airlines of India and GMG Airlines for flights between India and Bangladesh. Recently, an aviation expert on a TV talk show commented that India has an open sky policy. I cannot agree. Indian open sky policy is limited to scheduled airlines with which India has commercial agreements and it has allowed an increase in flights during the winter tourist season. This was to bring in over-booked tourists from the West, thus assuring a gain in foreign exchange earnings. In case of Bangladesh, it is just the opposite. Even if Bangladesh pursues an open sky policy it does not mean airlines from the Far East, the Middle East or Europe will rush in. In-coming passenger load to Bangladesh has always been low except during festival periods like Eid-ul-Fitr. Airlines have their own marketing strategies and they look at markets from both ends. The best policy which the Ministry of Civil Aviation can pursue is to allow private airlines of Bangladesh to operate on the under utilised international routes of Biman. This may ensure foreign exchange earnings for Bangladesh as well. Before succumbing to suggestions of our local aviation experts, the Ministry of Civil Aviation should make an in-depth study of aviation policies of neighbouring countries.
Foreign investment/ partnership in private airlines should also be considered in the aviation policy as it has been done in case of telecommunication policy of the Bangladesh government.
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