Follow rules at airports
PM asks VIPs, opens HSIA terminal-3 work
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the VIPs to follow the airport security rules and warned that anyone flouting those would face air travel restrictions in future.
“I want to say it clearly, there are members of parliament, ministers, chiefs of the services and other high officials. You have to follow the security measures at the airports of the country like you do at airports abroad,” she said.
The PM was addressing a function marking the inauguration of the construction work of the “Third Terminal” of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Hasina also inaugurated Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ two newly inducted Dreamliner 787-9, named “Sonar Tori” and “Achin Pakhi”, as well as a new mobile application of the national flag carrier on the sidelines of the ceremony.
The premier said everyone has to follow the security rules of the airports and none will be allowed to bypass those.
“If anyone creates obstacles to following these security rules, then that person will be stopped [from flying]. I will do it and you all have to remember this.”
She said she receives information if anyone wants to commit corruption or bypass any rule. “Everyone has to remember that. We have attached special importance to the security of the airports.”
The PM asked all passengers to obey the security rules and regulations that are practiced at airports internationally.
Hasina also directed the authorities concerned to take special care of the expatriates who earn valuable foreign currencies for the country.
“We export manpower and earn huge amount of foreign currencies. We have to look after their [expatriates] facilities. Make sure that they are not harassed at airports. Special attention has to be given to this matter.”
Briefly describing various development programmes of the government to improve the services of Biman, the PM said it would not be wise to give everything to the private sector to improve passenger service.
In this connection, she said the government has procured three more small aircrafts from Canada to increase Biman’s market share in the domestic routes. The planes would be available soon.
“We will try to bring more aircrafts with those three so that we can extend our service to all airports of the country. We are taking that initiative.”
Hasina said the government was carrying out a drive against terrorism, militancy, drugs and corruption. “We will not spare anyone found involved in corruption.”
She said the government wants to make Bangladesh free from terrorism, drugs and corruption, and turn it into a prosperous and developed country which was the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito, and Chief Representative of Bangladesh Office of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) Hitoshi Hirata also spoke at the programme, chaired by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali.