United News of Bangladesh

The risk of bird strikes during aircraft take-off and landing is growing alarmingly at airports across Bangladesh particularly at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka ,  raising concerns over a potential aviation disaster. Despite repeated incidents authorities have failed to implement an effective bird control system, leaving planes and lives at risk. Aviation experts and insiders said Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has fallen short in maintaining safety protocols with several systems either outdated or completely inoperative.  On May 20, a Turkish Airlines flight narrowly avoided tragedy after a bird strike ignited one of its engines shortly after take-off.  The pilot observing fire midair contacted the control tower and successfully executed an emergency landing—saving the lives of all 290 passengers on board. Again, on June 27, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight bound for Singapore suffered a bird strike moments after departure.  The aircraft was forced to turn back midair due to engine damage, highlighting the recurring nature of these threats. Sources at CAAB said the  Bird Monitoring System installed spending over Tk one crore at HSIA in 2022 has been lying idle due to lack of maintenance.  One of its five surveillance cameras is broken, and the main system itself has been out of order for months.  It is now set to be shipped to Italy for repairs, but officials admit they currently have no reliable alternative to manage bird activity near the runway. Besides, laser lights, once used to scare birds at night, are no longer operational.  Gas cannons which produce sound blasts every 10 minutes are used but their effectiveness is limited—especially during the day, said the sources. Even more concerning, the number of bird shooters and functional weapons is dangerously inadequate.  Biman to lease two aircraft soon to meet operational demand: CEO While CAAB should ideally have at least 20 shooter guns only one is working.  Currently, only three CAAB bird control staff are deployed, while the air force supports with two shooters per shift—who are unavailable during weekly holidays and VIP movements. Experts said poorly maintained green areas, nearby water bodies attracting fish and insects, and scattered food waste around airport premises are contributing to increased bird activity.  Aviation expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said, “Globally, the bird strike risk is 0.5 per 10,000 flights but in Bangladesh, it's 1.73. That’s alarmingly high.” ATM Nazrul Islam, another aviation expert, stressed the lack of modern deterrents. “The sound systems have long been out of order. Other countries use special chemical sprays to eliminate bugs underground which reduces bird presence. We’ve done nothing similar, “he said. A recent emergency meeting chaired by immediate-past CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, recommended restoring the monitoring system, purchasing more shooter guns, and increasing manpower on the ground. “Birds will continue to be drawn to areas with food and nesting conditions. Unless we address these root causes and invest in modern technology, we’re risking lives with every flight,” he warned. As bird strike incidents pile up and equipment remains in disrepair, Bangladesh's aviation safety is standing on shaky ground. 

 A group of 28 Bangladeshis, who had been stranded in Iran due to the ongoing conflict with Israel, safely returned home on Tuesday. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), a flight carrying the returnees from Dubai landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 7:30am. The return journey began on June 25, when the group left Tehran by road and crossed into Pakistan through the Taftan border in Balochistan. They later reached Karachi, departed for Dubai on Monday night, and finally boarded their flight to Dhaka. Airport authority enhances security measures at Shahjalal Most of the returnees were women and children who had travelled to Iran for medical treatment. Diplomatic sources said the situation in Tehran is gradually improving. Once international flights resume regular operations, the remaining stranded Bangladeshis are expected to return home. According to official records, around 250 Bangladeshis have registered with the Bangladesh Embassy in Tehran.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight made a safe landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Friday afternoon despite losing one of its wheels shortly after take-off from Cox’s Bazar. ABM Rawshan Kabir, General Manager (Public Relations) of the state-owned airline, told UNB, “We cannot confirm the exact reason or details at this point about the mid-air wheel loss. A full inspection by the engineering department will determine it." Biman reschedules flights on three routes amid India-Pakistan tensions According to the control room at Cox’s Bazar Airport, one of the wheels of flight BG-436 detached suddenly moments after the aircraft took off from the runway. The flight, which was carrying 71 passengers, departed Cox’s Bazar at 1:17pm and successfully landed in Dhaka at 2:17pm without further incident. The flight operations remain as usual at Dhaka airport.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday said it will launch an investigation into allegations of irregularities, corruption and embezzlement linked to the construction project of the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain said this while briefing reporters outside the ACC headquarters in the capital, stating that project director AKM Maksudul Islam along with others, is accused of severe misconduct. ACC sues ex-minister Nasrul, 2 family members The allegations include abuse of power, fraudulent activities, and extensive corruption. Among the most alarming charges is the escalation of the project’s estimated cost from Tk 7,000 crore to Tk 22,000 crore. Reports also suggest that Tk 900 crore was embezzled through design alterations during the soil testing phase. Further accusations include selling three key segments of the project to other contractors through commission trading, using low-quality parts and equipment from China and Korea instead of the European-grade materials specified in the tender and widespread irregularities in the sealing work. 60 kathas plot: ACC to probe allegations against Hasina, family members The ACC also disclosed that Tk 400 crore was allegedly embezzled through syndication, while Tk 12 crore was wasted on unnecessary expenses aimed at appeasing the former Prime Minister. The under-construction terminal was inaugurated by the ousted ex-Prime Minister on October 23, 2023, with plans for it to become operational by October 2024. Akhtar Hossain assured that the ACC is committed to uncovering the truth behind these allegations and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.

One of the country's most admired and respected journalists, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, has said he was harassed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport recently - both while departing for and returning from an international media conference.  Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus ordered an investigation into the incident as soon as it was brought to his attention, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Saturday. "We sincerely regret the incident. The interim government will not tolerate harassment of any journalists in the country," Azad added, before describing Nurul Kabir as a "top champion of journalistic integrity during his long career." On Saturday, Kabir took to his verified Facebook page to report that contrary to his own expectations, the harassment he was used to facing at the country's main international airport for the last 20 years, had surprisingly doubled during a recent trip abroad to attend a news and media conference.  "On November 18, as I was going abroad for a media conference, I expected that my days of harassment (sic) at the Dhaka airport were over, at least for sometime," he wrote, glumly adding: "I was wrong." Read: OCAB demands withdrawal of cancellation of accreditation for journalistsHe then alludes to the latest incident, or incidents: "It has been rather doubled this time. One hour while departing and one hour while returning home on November 22." Previously, in the twenty years referenced earlier, he said he had never faced any trouble "while returning home"- distinguishing the latest incident from what he experienced in the past. Kabir helmed New Age as one of the very few voices that strongly and consistently spoke truth to power during the highly repressive Awami League regime that ruled the country from 2009-2024. Outspoken almost to a fault, he also became a highly popular television commentator for his forthright views and acerbic tongue, before being allegedly 'blacklisted' by AL that saw a largely pliant industry whittle down their invitations for him to appear on their channel. 

The construction of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is set to be completed by October this year, with flight operations expected to begin in early 2025, officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have confirmed. According to CAAB, the third terminal’s construction is in its final stages and is on track to be completed by the October deadline. The Civil Aviation Authority will take over the terminal from the contractor in October, following which the process of scheduling flights from the new terminal will commence early next year. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, uncertainty arose over the timely completion of the terminal. However, the interim government soon restored normalcy to the construction process. The striking design of the third terminal building has drawn attention in the project area, with finishing touches underway both inside and outside the facility. Read more: Target set for Dhaka Airport Third Terminal's full functionality by December 2024: CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of CAAB, recently inspected the progress of the third terminal. He directed the officials and workers involved in the project to ensure timely completion with a high standard of work. “About 98% of the work on the third terminal has already been completed, and overall progress is satisfactory. I have instructed those involved to finish the remaining tasks promptly,” Air Vice Marshal Monjur told UNB. “We expect all work to be completed by October. After taking over the terminal from the contractor, we will prepare to launch flight operations.” Consultancy firm Nippon Koei has estimated that around 6,000 skilled workers will be needed for the operation, maintenance, and security of the terminal, with nearly 4,000 of them required for security alone. However, CAAB officials said that it might take a few months to recruit the necessary workforce, meaning the terminal may not be fully operational immediately. Initially, CAAB and Biman Bangladesh Airlines will manage the terminal, with full operations likely to begin in February next year. Once operational, the third terminal will increase Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s passenger handling capacity by an additional 12 million passengers annually. Currently, the airport’s first and second terminals manage between 120 to 130 flights of more than 30 airlines daily, serving around 20,000 passengers. This equates to a capacity of approximately 8 million passengers per year. The new terminal will add 230,000 square meters of space to the airport, featuring 115 check-in counters, 66 departure and 59 arrival immigration desks, and three VIP immigration desks. It will also include 27 baggage screening machines, 40 security scanners, 12 boarding bridges, 16 carousels, and 11 body scanners. The construction project, launched by the government in 2017, began on December 28, 2019, with an estimated cost of Tk 21,398 crore. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing Tk 16,141 crore as a loan, with the remaining funds coming from the Bangladesh government. The construction is being carried out by Japan’s Mitsubishi and Fujita and South Korea’s Samsung. CAAB officials noted that once completed, the terminal will accommodate 37 aircraft at a time and feature two high-speed taxiways to reduce waiting times on the runway. Two buildings have also been constructed for import and export cargo operations. A three-story parking facility for 1,350 vehicles is nearing completion. Initially, 12 out of the 26 boarding bridges will be operational, with 15 self-service check-in counters and 10 automated passport control counters available for departing passengers. The terminal has been designed to ensure smooth entry and exit for passengers. It will be connected to the elevated expressway, and airport railway station via a tunnel. Hajj pilgrims will also have a dedicated tunnel from the Ashkona Hajj Camp to the third terminal. Last year, on October 7, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina partially inaugurated the terminal as part of her government’s development efforts ahead of the national elections. At that time, the government had announced that flights would operate from the third terminal by October this year. Read more: Govt will decide on ground handling at Dhaka airport’s third terminal and Biman is ready: CEO

Biman Bangladesh Airlines commenced its dedicated Hajj flights this morning, marking the beginning of its annual service to transport pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia for the holy Hajj. The inaugural flight, BG3301, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 7 am, carrying 415 pilgrims directly to Jeddah. The event began with a ceremony at 5:30 am, attended by key figures including Md Faridul Haque Khan, Minister of Religious Affairs; Sajjadul Hassan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism; Air Vice Marshal Md Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB); Shafiul Azim, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; and Md Shahadat Hossain Taslim, President of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB). PM inaugurates Hajj programme-2024 This year, a record number of 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims will journey to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines handling approximately 50% of these travelers, totaling 42,629 pilgrims. To accommodate this massive undertaking, Biman has scheduled 116 pre-Hajj flights and 125 post-Hajj flights. Furthermore, the airline has expanded its service to include flights from Sylhet and Chattogram, enhancing access and convenience for pilgrims across Bangladesh. Biman Bangladesh Airlines continues to operate these flights exclusively with its own fleet, underscoring its capability and readiness to manage the logistical demands of Hajj travel. Read more: Visitors on Hajj visa prohibited from traveling outside Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca: Saudi Ministry

The bodies of eight Bangladeshi nationals who died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and subsequently drowned near the coast of Tunisia will arrive in the country this afternoon. According to a Facebook post by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the coffins, transported via Saudia Airlines, are scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:15 pm on May 2. On Tuesday, in the presence of Bangladesh's Ambassador to Libya and non-resident envoy to Tunisia, Major General (Retd.) Abul Hasnat Mohammad Khairul Bashar, embassy officials transferred the bodies to the authorities at Tunis International Airport. Hasan Mahmud to attend OIC Summit in Gambia Following the tragic incident on the night of February 14, officials at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli worked closely with Tunisia's Foreign Ministry and local authorities to manage the forensic identification, confirmation of identities through domestic agencies, issuance of death and medical certificates, and coordination of the repatriation process. The Foreign Ministry's Africa Wing coordinated inter-ministerial efforts to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies, with assistance from the ministries of home, law, and funds from the Expatriates Welfare Ministry. Among the deceased are Sajal, Noyon Biswas, Mamun Sheikh, Kazi Sajib, and Kaiser Khalifa from Madaripur district, and Rifat, Russel, and Imrul Kayes from Gopalganj district. A boat, carrying 52 passengers and a sailor from the coast of Zuwarah on its way to Europe, sank off the Tunisian coast. Out of the 44 survivors, 27 are Bangladeshis, with others from Pakistan (8), Syria (5), and Egypt (4). Among the nine fatalities, eight were identified as Bangladeshis and one as a Pakistani national. Read more: Bangladesh, Austria agree to conclude MoU on migration, mobility

In a significant development for Bangladesh’s aviation sector, the construction of the third terminal at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is slated to be fully completed by April 5, 2024, with the terminal expected to be fully operational by October. This marks a pivotal moment in the expansion and modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will take over the terminal’s responsibilities from the contractor once the construction is completed. This transition will initiate the process of moving operations from the old terminals to the new one, focusing on Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) project. AKM Maksudul Islam, the project director, told UNB that nearly all construction work, including civil engineering tasks, is nearing completion. Any remaining work is expected to be finalized in the first week of April, ensuring a smooth handover to CAAB by April 6. Preparations are underway to fully launch the terminal’s operations in October, including the completion of system integration and calibration tasks, which have successfully passed multiple evaluations. Read more: Terminal 3 will transform Bangladesh's passenger and cargo handling capabilities: EU Ambassador Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of CAAB, informed UNB that the third terminal is almost ready for flight operations and is expected to be fully functional by October. The completion of this terminal will significantly increase Dhaka airport’s capacity, facilitating the growth of domestic and international airlines’ operations. This expansion is anticipated to improve passenger amenities, increase revenue, and enhance the airport’s overall efficiency.

US-Bangla Airlines on Friday welcomed an Airbus A330-300, with 436-seat capacity, to its fleet. The wide body Airbus landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), where it was greeted by a water cannon salute. US-Bangla Airlines Chief Executive Officer Captain Lutfor Rahman officially accepted the newly-added aircraft to his fleet, said a media release signed by Md. Kamrul Islam, general manager (Public Relations) of US-Bangla Airlines Ltd. US Bangla Group launches new venture ‘Take Trip’ travel agency The airline plans to use the new Airbus to operate its planned London and Rome routes, as well as Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, also part of its future plans as it expands its international network. At present it would operate the Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, and Kuala Lumpur routes. An expanding network goes hand-in-hand with an expanding fleet, and the Airbus was not the only aircraft that US-Bangla added to its fleet on Friday. US Bangla offers special Bangkok package Barely 12 hours earlier at 4:10am, a Boeing 737-800 landed at HSIA via Georgia-Serbia. Before Friday, US-Bangla Airlines boasted a fleet of 21 aircraft. Following today's additions, the airline's fleet consists of an Airbus A330-300, nine Boeing 737-800s, ten ATR 72-600s and three Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. There are plans to add another Airbus A330-300 soon. US Bangla to operate Dhaka-Male flights 6 days a week from Oct 31 US-Bangla Airlines currently operates regular flights on all domestic routes, as well as international ones to Kolkata, Chennai, Male, Muscat, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Guangzhou. The two new aircraft were officially received by senior officials of the airlines at HSIA.