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Talks with airlines fail

Desperate Biman out to charter aircraft

REAZ AHMAD
In a last ditch effort to save the government from the embarrassment of a lingering hajj flight fiasco, the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines last night started a hectic move to immediately charter at least two wide-bodied aeroplanes as all foreign airlines declined to carry Bangladeshi pilgrims at the
government-fixed fare of $1,050 per pilgrim.
Representatives of Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Emirates, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Gulf Air had earlier yesterday made it clear to new State Minister for Civil Aviation Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir that they were unable to ®he ^tar
carry any pilgrim from Dhaka to Jeddah at less than $1,150.
The Biman management is now desperately trying to charter two Boeing 747 to fly at least 30,000 out of more than 45,000 intending pilgrims.
Acting Managing Director of Biman Mahmudur Rahman late last night held a meeting with representatives of eight private airlines authorised by the Civil Aviation authority -- Best Aviation Ltd, South Asian Airlines Ltd, Sky Bangla Airways Ltd, ASTUT International, Air Bangladesh Private Ltd, Air Parabat Ltd, Asian Travel Network and Bismillah Airlines.
They were asked to submit proposals within a day or two offering two wide-bodied aircraft for Biman to charter them at a competitive price on ACMI-basis, which means the parties have to provide aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.
In the wake of refusal of the foreign airlines, the state minister held a meeting with the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab)
yesterday afternoon. He informed Haab that using the 60 flight-slots Biman got from the Saudi government, Biman would try to ferry at least 30,000 pilgrims by chartering two aircraft while the government also appealed to the Saudi authorities for last-minute increase of at least 30 more slots so that Biman could fly the rest 15,000 too.
Contacted over telephone last night, Mahmudur Rahman said “We are now very busy, and in the midst of a serious meeting. I will talk to you later."
Qatar Airways Area Manager in Bangladesh Shamshad Ahsan told this correspondent that the foreign airlines had made it clear to the new state minister that they would not be able to carry pilgrims at a fare of $ 1,050.
“If any Bangladeshi pilgrim still intend to avail our flights at $1,150, we must be notified by tomorrow (Wednesday). Otherwise, it would be difficult to confirm booking of seats," he said.