Flight chartering companies propose Biman to operate evacuation flights from Afghanistan

Several flight chartering companies have proposed Biman Bangladesh Airlines to evacuate thousands, including Afghan citizens who worked for the American troops, from the country in turmoil.

"Several flight chartering companies initially offered us to evacuate around 45,000 people from Afghanistan. In the last 15 days, we had talks with them multiple times on this issue," a top official of planning department of the national flag carrier told The Daily Star today.

Biman Managing Director and CEO Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal told The Daily Star that they are observing the overall situation in Afghanistan and will take decision in this regard.

"Before taking decision, we will have to know whether Kabul Airport has ground handling facilities and who will carry out the immigration formalities of the passengers," said the Biman MD.

Moreover, Biman's boss said, we have also asked concerned leasing companies, seeking their opinion on operating evacuation flights from Kabul at this time.

"We want to know from the leasing company whether we will get insurance money in case of any untoward incident," he also said.

A top official of Biman, wishing anonymity, said apart from Biman, Air Asia and Garuda Indonesia were also offered to operate evacuation flights from Kabul.

He said Biman was offered to evacuate people from Afghanistan to Guam, a territory of the United States in the Micronesia sub-region of the western Pacific.

Biman was also offered to evacuate people from Afghanistan to Dhaka and Doha before ferrying them to USA. 

He also said around 180 Afghan students, studying in different educational institutions in Bangladesh, are also trying to come back to Dhaka.