Md Safiqur Rahman Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 29, 2025 (BSS) - Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer 
(CEO) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Md Safiqur Rahman today claimed that 
advance seat booking and ticket blocking are at zero level at the national 
flag carrier.

"Any individuals found involved in ticketing fraud are removed from their 
respective departments as soon as information is received," he said. 

The Biman chief made these comments at a meeting with the Executive Committee 
of the Aviation and Tourism Journalist Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at Biman's 
headquarters Balaka in the capital. 

Regarding recent reports of ticket blocking and artificial ticket hoarding 
for destinations like Saudi Arabia and various Middle Eastern countries, 
Rahman said that there is currently no advance seat booking or ticket 
blocking at Biman. 

"I personally monitor this issue," he said. 

Regarding baggage management at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he 
said that efforts are being made to improve baggage handling. 

"Whenever complaints arise about baggage, immediate action is taken," he 
said.

Pointing that there are some infrastructural limitations at HSIA, the CEO 
hoped that 
with the opening of the third terminal, baggage management will improve 
further.

He added that to ensure transparency in baggage management, airline staff are 
equipped with body-worn cameras. 

They wear the cameras when entering their duty for baggage handling and 
return them when their shift is over. 

Additionally, 150 new cameras have been purchased to enhance surveillance, 
said the Biman chief. 

On preparations for Biman's Hajj flights, he mentioned that the current fleet 
of the airline is sufficient to operate scheduled flights without disruption. 

He expressed hope that, as always, pilgrims will be able to perform the Hajj 
smoothly with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Rahman also stated that efforts are underway to reduce flight delays to zero, 
make crew and staff behavior more customer-friendly, and make Biman more 
passenger-friendly overall.

During the courtesy meeting, ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar and General 
Secretary Baten Bipul also spoke among others.