Flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines have started taking off as per schedule yesterday after the pilots rejoined work calling off their strike.
This has significantly reduced worries of passengers who got stranded in airports and hotels.
Biman said 362 passengers, who stayed in hotels during the stand-off between the airline and its pilots, would reach their destinations in the Middle East today.
Of the 13 flights scheduled for yesterday, six international flights departed Shahjalal International Airport on time as of 8:00pm. The rest would leave on time, said Biman officials.
"I am happy that it's over. We are getting back to normalcy. And by tomorrow [Sunday], we will be in top gear," said Biman Managing Director Muhammad Zakiul Islam at his office yesterday.
His remarks came hours after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked cockpit crew to resume flying at a tripartite meeting where representatives of Bangladesh Airline Pilots Association (BAPA), Civil Aviation Minister GM Quader and Chairman of Biman Board Jamal Uddin Ahmed were present.
Pilots said they went back to work as the prime minister assured them of settling their dispute with Biman under the supervision of the civil aviation and tourism ministry.
But the court will settle issues like pilot retirement age increase to 62 years from 57. A case in this regard is pending with the High Court, report BSS and UNB quoting Assistant Press Secretary to the prime minister Asif Kabir.
However, other issues will be settled through discussions, the agencies reported.
The feud between Biman authorities and pilots started to affect Biman flight schedule and passengers after pilots began agitation on October 22 demanding cancellation of an order of retirement age enhancement from 57 years to 62 years. Biman increased the retirement age of pilots but did not extend insurance and rehabilitation benefits to pilots who lost their wings for medical reasons during their extended period of service.
The row over this resulted in pilot agitation and eventually their calling in "sick" on October 26.
Initially, the demonstration was marked by delays in some flights as pilots refused to fly beyond their duty regulations and give any concession to the airline management.
But flight cancellations and delays started to increase after Biman authorities served show-cause notices upon more than a dozen BAPA members on different grounds. The reasons include holding a press conference on issues that are under trial at a court.
Biman later withdrew four pilots from flight duty, which infuriated pilots and at least 56 pilots called in sick to protest.
This led to large-scale flight disruptions including cancellation of flights. The hajj flights, however, went on smoothly.
Biman had to cancel nearly 20 flights to various domestic and international destinations. Biman said the stalemate hurt the image of the airline, increased expenditure as well as caused sufferings to passengers.
"We are sorry that passengers had to suffer for us," said Biman MD Zakiul. "We regret it."
"We are part of a family," he said, hoping that such stand-off would not happen in future.
"We apologise for the stalemate in the last couple of days. Nobody would expect such a situation," said BAPA General Secretary Captain MA Basit Mahtab while sharing the outcome of the meeting with Sheikh Hasina in a press briefing in BAPA office yesterday afternoon.
BAPA acting President Captain Zakir Hussain said, "Our discussion with the prime minister has been fruitful. She has assured us of settling our demands."
Mahtab said the 56 pilots, who had called in sick earlier, began to fly. "One of our mates has already flown to London in the morning," Mahtab said.
Mahtab, also one of the four pilots who were withdrawn from flight duty, said the prime minister has asked pilots to join work without fear.