‘22 ministers served as Biman chief before me': Aviation advisor hits back at critics

He says his tenure has helped turn Biman into a profitable organisation

Civil Aviation and Tourism Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has defended his appointment as chairman of the board of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, saying the move does not breach any laws and has precedent.

Speaking at a media briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, he said that at least 22 ministers and advisors had previously held the position, adding that even prime ministers had served as Biman board chairman in the past.

“I am the 23rd. I have not done anything outside the law,” he said, responding to criticism over his dual role as advisor to the civil aviation ministry and chairman of the national carrier’s board.

Bashir was appointed Biman board chairman on Aug 26 last year under the interim government, a decision that sparked debate. He also serves as advisor to the commerce ministry.

He said his tenure had helped turn Biman into a profitable organisation, citing lower fares on some Middle Eastern routes and what he described as an additional Tk 1.2 billion in profit.

“If you focus only on the appointment, you can create controversy. But if you look at what has been achieved, Biman has become profitable. Isn’t that something to acknowledge?”

The advisor also addressed a recent report in the English-language daily The Daily Star, which referred to him as “Lord of wings”.

He said the description was misleading, noting that helicopters do not have wings. He added that he had owned and flown a helicopter for 14 years, long before taking on his current role.

Bashir said he had followed all regulations in seeking certification to operate the helicopter and denied using influence.

He said his aviation company applied for a trade licence earlier this year, before he was appointed to the ministry, and that he is neither on the company’s board nor involved in its management. He added that the Civil Aviation Authority operates independently and does not require ministerial approval to issue licences.

“If I had used influence, why has my licence not been issued even after 11 months?” he asked, adding that his company met all technical requirements.

At the start of the briefing, the ministry’s secretary outlined the government’s recent initiatives in the aviation sector, including airport leasing, legal reforms and infrastructure development.