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Aviation stalwart suggests Biman’s capacity building

Rashidul Hasan
B i m a n Bangladesh Airlines will surely emerge as a leading airline in Asia and the Pacific region, provided it is equipped with the required number of aircraft, its safety issues resolved and capacity raised, said Captain Carlos Limon, the president of International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA).
“All planes are more or less similar but the differ-
ence is the service you can offer to your passengers. So if you are punctual, a very good handler of luggage and can ensure flight safety, I am sure passengers will like to fly with you," Limon told The Daily Star in an exclusive interview.
Limon is now in Dhaka on his maiden visit to attend IFALPA's regional conference at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. The three-day meet kicked off yesterday.
The global pilots forum boss also pointed out that Bangladesh needs a strong civil aviation authority.
He suggested the government come up with investments to train the people involved in the aviation industry.
Offering his organisation's expertise for capacity building, Limon said, "We can train on airport safety aspects, traffic services and your pilots. We can also lobby with different entities to upgrade your organisations including the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh."
Pointing his finger at the crisis the global aviation industry now passes through because of the financial meltdown worldwide and surge in fuel prices, he said a new trend emerges in the business, which is evident in making alliances these days by different airlines to survive.
"Alliances of airlines will control the market in near future. We have three big alliances including the Star Lions. They are controlling 60 percent of the market at this moment. And they are fighting to get other allies, "observed the veteran captain of a Mexican airline who has been at the helm since March 2007.
Highlighting advantages of such an alliance, the IFALPA leader said the alliance can buy aircraft together to have big savings, establish same terminals and arrange the same first class launch.
IFALPA was created during a conference of pilots' associations held in London in April 1948 to have a single global voice of pilots.
Coming back to Bangladesh's national carrier, Limon said Biman needs to replace the old aircraft, which consume much more fuel. “ This way Biman can cut its cost of doing business,” he added.
On coming out of bad times the global aviation now faces, he said, “At this moment we can see a little recovery. But unfortunately the fuel price is going up again, but I am sure that the years to come—probably three or four years-- we will have a very good time for the aviation industry.”
"We are looking to a single level of safety worldwide and also we provide services to our member associations,” Limon concluded.