Aviation operators seek support amid COVID-19 crisis

The Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) yesterday urged the government to waive all aeronautical and non-aeronautical charges levied by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh from February till the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

The request was made at an emergency meeting, where the AOAB also asked the government to allow aircraft operators to pay loan instalments without interest for at least two quarters.

At the meeting, held at the Maasranga Television headquarters in Dhaka with AOAB President Anjan Chowdhury in chair, AOAB Secretary General Mofizur Rahman made various proposals on how to save the country's private aviation industry from huge losses due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Among other sectors, the private aviation industry were the worst hit by losses due to the global coronavirus pandemic, speakers at the emergency meeting said.

Many airlines are on the verge of bankruptcy as revenue has dropped down to almost zero, they added.

In a unanimously approved proposal, the AOAB asked the government to totally remove the advanced taxes for the import of aircraft engines and the necessary spare parts.

The AOAB also proposed that the government should waive excise duties and VAT on jet fuel imports for domestic aircraft operators.