Biman's new captain
An ad appeared in your daily that Biman needed an MD to be recruited. This is for the first time that open invitation to fill in the post has been made. Traditionally appointment to the post used to be made by the government mostly by selecting a civil or military bureaucrat without any aviation background, airline operation knowledge and experience in business affairs. They ran Biman like a government office and naturally cut sorry figures. A cost accountant and an Infantry officer were the MD for a good number of years. Efficiency and commercial considerations were sacrificed at the altar of favouritism.
In fact the woes of Biman never were nor are now the much discussed financial constraints, shortage of aircraft or lack of business. The core problem has been the problem of 'Management' that bread uncontrolled indiscipline and boundless corruption at all levels. Biman's recent decision to procure more than half a dozen aircraft at a cost of thousands of crore taka is likely to go down the drain as usual if the chronic and endemic mismanagement is not effectively checked or reduced to bring back discipline and rein in rampant corruption. The move to get a man with professional skill, experience and competence is a step in the right direction. Let us hope that he proposed recruitment to the vital position of the organisation is made properly and without interference or influence from any quarters.
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I, a retired veteran employee of Biman, wholeheartedly congratulate the authorities for circulating an open invitation to the aspiring candidates for selection of a CEO for the National Airline. This is definitely a move in the right direction to salvage the sick airline. In fact, we have been suggesting this for a long time that a professional be trusted with the Herculean task of putting the airline back on the right track and steer it on course. Let him alone remain accountable to the government and the board of directors. I sincerely think the government should look for an airline and aviation expert from abroad. But if it has to be one among our own nationals, then I think a retired DC-10 captain, or retired chief engineer or a retired sales and marketing executive may be considered for the prestigious job.
We are optimistic that if Biman is headed by a veteran airline executive with strong academic background, and if the airline is allowed to function independently without any uncalled-for interference from the ministry and self seeking bureaucrats; then, God willing, the national airline will regain its lost status and be a standard one in near future. This will save the airline from becoming a laughing stock. Biman no doubt in the past suffered in many ways being a government owned organisation. We from abroad want to feel proud of our national flag carrier.
A.B. Mohammed Zakaria, Stanwell, Staines Middlesex, UK
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