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STOL service likely to begin soon

By Reaz Ahmed
The longawalted STOL (short lake off and landing) service in the domestic air routes is likely to start shortly.
The process is being expe dited following assurance from the authoriUes concerned that the problems delaying the launching of STOL service would now be removed.
Eight private firms got Provisional Air Transport Operating Licence (PATOL) over one and half years ago for op
erating STOL aircraft.
The guidelines set for the STOL service came under scrutiny at a meeting between the Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Tourism M A Mannan and PATOL holders recently.
At the meeting, PATOL holders demanded ot the gov eminent exemption of Import duties on the aircraft, opening of all the domestic airports for STOL operation and reduction of fuel price.
According to sources in the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). the state minister assured the private entrepreneurs that the government would consider their demands keeping in view the facilities enjoyed by the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Talking to The Dally Star. Noor All, Managing Director of Borak Air. one of the eight PATOL holders, said the minister had verbally assured them of removing problems in launching the STOL service.
Once the authorities came up with a concrete decision in this regard, the STOL planes would start flying within four months, he hoped.
In August 1993, the Cabinet had approved a proposal from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to open the domestic skies for private en-
trepreneurs. enabling them to operate STOL planes.
The authorities, however, set a condition that STOL would only be allowed to operate in the routes where Biman does not fly.
Following the Cabinet approval. eight firms got PATOL in phases. These are — Royal Bengal Airlines. Borak Air, Victory. Aviation Limited. Air Parabat, Falcpn Aviation Limited, Green Air. Eagle Air and South Aslan Airlines.
— Initially, the authorities decided that Barisal. Comllla. Ishwardi, Lalmonirhat. Thakurgaon and Shamsernagar in Sylhet would be linked with the capital through STOL service. Accordingly, the CAAB refurbished those airstrips.
Though the PATOL holders' licence expired in October last year, it was renewed for six months with the Intention of starting the STOL service, resolving the problems faced by the prospective operators.