Private cargo operators have been given the go-ahead by the government to operate international cargo flights from three domestic airports via Dhaka, according to Civil Aviation Ministry sources.

The private operators from now on will be able to conduct flights from Chittagong, Sylhet and Jessore. Earlier, only two companies Bismillah Air Lines and Best Aviation Ltd were allowed air freight operation from Zia International Airport (ZIA).

The permission was given at a high-powered inter-ministerial conference last month which called for more liberal policies so that the demand and supply of local goods in the international market remain competitive. Civil Aviation Secretary C M Mohsin presided over the meeting. Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh

Airlines Air Commodore Khasrul Alam and Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority M Iqbal Hossain were also present.

Sources say that the move, which will definitely encourage more air freight firms to come into operation, was taken to accelerate transportation of local exports to the Middle East, Europe and other countries of the globe.

Talking to the Daily Star, M A Mannan, Managing Director of Bismillah Air Lines, said that the business community of Sylhet in particular have been demanding direct cargo flights from their city for long. But it was not possible as they didn't have the government's clearance.

Mannan added that the new directive will come as a blessing for the entrepreneurs in Sylhet as the Sylhetis have the biggest expatriate

presence worldwide among Bangladeshi nationals.

The meeting also formed a five-member sub-committee to look into the problems experienced by the private operators with Biman. Biman are the sole authorities of ground handling at the ZIA and operators complain that they charge extremely high fees for it.

Croup Captain Ashraful Azhar, a director of Civil Aviation Authority ol Bangladesh (CAAB) has been made convenor of the committee. Hie other members are Mosaddeq Hossain. General Manager ol Biman transport. Biman's Deputy Director M I labibullah Khan. M A Mannan, Managing Director. Bismillah Air Lines, and Shahab Sattar, (Chairman, GMGAirlines.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within two months.

I he main allegation against Biman is that they charge nearly four

times higher the amount than that in other international airports like New Delhi, Karachi, Dubai and Bangkok. Besides, the quality of service is also far from satisfactory as the Biman loaders often make-delay in supplying equipment and in loadingand unloadinggoods.

I he Biman representatives at the meeting admitted that their Ices were a little higher’ than many other airports but defended it by saying that it is compensated by ihe package of services tlicy provide.

'fhe meeting was also informed that an open sky policy would be taken at the newly established M A Hannan International Airport in Chittagong. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to formally inaugurate (he airport on March 24.

T he open sky si heme would allow private airline companies to carry on international flights from the airport in routes where Biman docsnot operate.