Regular flights will be suspended if Covid-19 situation worsens: CAAB chairman

Operation of regular flights will be suspended if Covid-19 situation deteriorates. Permission will not be given either at present to operate special flights to and from Dhaka considering the situation.

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said this while talking to reporters at his office at Dhaka's Kurmitola.

The CAAB chief said they are not considering reducing the number of passengers in domestic flights right now as all airlines are properly ensuring health safety measures.

"We have discussed with each airline and they have confirmed on ensuring health guidelines in their flights," added Mafidur.

"I think air travel is much safer now than traveling by any other means," he said.

He, however, said that CAAB has asked airlines "not to carry more than 260 passengers in their wide-bodied aircraft".  

He also said they have instructed the airline authorities to ensure social distancing in the aircraft and at the airport. 

Mafidur said, "In a plane that has 3 seats in a row, the one who sits in the middle must wear a face shield. If that passenger feels uncomfortable then the airlines will have to provide PPE to that passenger."