Travails of Bangladesh's national carrier

Like anyone else, I get quite nervous when a plane starts shaking mid-air. It's only when the calm voice of the captain or the cabin crew says, "We are encountering some minor turbulence, it will be over soon," that I relax. But if I were to get on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, I would be nervous from the get-go.

- ANUPAM DEBASHIS ROY

Live And why would I not? It seems as though the management is failing - or simply does not care enough to live up to expectations that the country's national flag carrier would provide an affordable and quality service. Taxpayers' money is spent to maintain an airline instead of leaving air travel solely in the hands of the private sector, because we view air travel as an essential service that the government must provide as a public good. However, Biman's performance can hardly be termed as a source of satisfaction, let alone pride.

There are, sadly, a plethora of complaints against Biman that have come to light. Let's start with the issue of recruitment. In October, examination papers for a recruitment test for various positions in the airline were leaked and, reportedly, high officials of the air carrier were involved in it.

Because of the leak, the recruitment process had to be suspended.