UK envoy, aviation minister discuss Biman fleet, HRCM status

Dhaka: British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook met Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Bangladesh Secretariat on September 15.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Discussions covered the ongoing process of procuring Airbus aircraft to modernize Biman Bangladesh Airlines' fleet, according to a ministry release.

Millat said Biman is currently facing an aircraft shortage and stressed that any procurement would be carried out with full transparency and accountability. He added that steps are being taken to expand the fleet urgently, in line with recommendations from the High-Level Negotiation Committee.

The minister also raised the European Union's High Risk Cargo & Mail (HRCM) status, imposed on Bangladesh in 2017, which he said has increased both the time and cost of cargo handling.

He said the current government initiated efforts to have the status withdrawn soon after taking office, including installing Explosive Detection Systems at airports as required.

Millat noted that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Sylhet Osmani International Airport recently received satisfactory ratings in audits and voiced hope that the EU would move to lift the HRCM status.

Cook said UK investors are interested in Bangladesh's hospitality sector and reaffirmed the UK's readiness to support Bangladesh's ambition to become an aviation hub.

The two sides also discussed Menzies Aviation's interest in providing ground-handling services for Biman at the upcoming Third Terminal.