Afghanistan crisis: US proposes that Biman Bangladesh operate evacuation flights

[Black_cats]

Afghanistan crisis: US proposes that Biman Bangladesh operate evacuation flights
Tribune Report

• Published at 03:30 pm August 16th, 2021

File photo of Boeing 777-300 ER flying under the banner of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Syed Zakir Hossain/Dhaka Tribune

The situation in Afghanistan is under observation, according to Foreign Ministry press statement

The US has proposed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines operate evacuation flights from Afghanistan.

They have asked the national flag carrier to evacuate several thousand people, including Afghan citizens who had worked for the US Army, from Afghanistan through third-party channels.

Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal said that they are yet to receive any official request from the US government.

“We have heard about it [the proposal] from the media, but we are yet to receive any official confirmation. Currently, Biman doesn’t have any flights operating to or from Afghanistan,” the Biman CEO added.

Also Read - 5 dead at Kabul airport as Afghans make a desperate dash to exit

He said a decision in this regard will be taken after discussions with government high-ups following an official proposal.

Biman officials, seeking anonymity, said US authorities had also proposed that Air Asia and Garuda Indonesia help evacuate around 50,000 people – including army and government personnel – from Kabul.

The latest talks with a third party took place last week but nothing was finalized, they said, adding that relevant authorities in Kabul and the other two other airlines have been contacted in an attempt to assess the current situation in Afghanistan.

Bangladesh voices concern over Afghanistan crisis

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry in a statement on Monday voiced concern over the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan.

It observed that the developments taking place in the South Asian country “may have an impact on the region and beyond.”

Bangladesh and Afghanistan share historical and cultural links. It is a fellow member of Saarc and an integral part of South Asia.

Bangladesh recalls the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of Afghanistan to Bangladesh during the War of Liberation. Bangladesh is committed to working with Afghanistan to fulfill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of a region that grows and prospers together, read the release.

Also Read - Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace

Bangladesh said that it believes that a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan, as chosen by its people, is the only guarantee of stability and development in the country.

The country considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan, the release said, adding that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves.

The Bangladesh government also wished to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous, responsible, and contributing member of the South Asian region and the global community.

Bangladesh said that it would be happy to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the socio-economic development of the country.

The Foreign Ministry also urged all the stakeholders in Afghanistan to maintain peace and calm to ensure the safety and security of all, including foreign nationals.

Afghanistan crisis: US proposes that Biman Bangladesh operate evacuation flights

The situation in Afghanistan is under observation, according to Foreign Ministry press statement

www.dhakatribune.com

 

[mb444]

Hilarious nonsense..

 

[Anubis]

We could send the DC 10 if they hadn't scrapped it.

 

[PoondolotoPandalum]

Yes yes, ask Bangladesh to sort out your colossal failure.

Are there any guarantees that some Churka in Afghanistan armed with Stinger/Igla/Strela won't try and randomly shoot down air traffic, just for the lawlz?

Judging by recent scenes, American C-17s are being boarded like Comilla to Dhaka train during eid. Why should Biman risk their assets and personals lives to sort out other people's mess?

 

[Anubis]

Indian charter company requests Biman to operate evacuation flights in Afghanistan
Insurance company discourages the state flag carrier to operate charter flight in the war torn country

An Indian-based private charter service provider company Air Charter service requested Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate charter flights in Afghanistan to evacuate citizens stuck in the conflict-ridden country.

However, the state carrier decided not to operate charter flights as it did not get clearance from the insurer to operate evacuation flights in the war zone.

Air Commodore Dr Md Mahbub Jahan Khan, director at Corporate Planning and Training, said some third party charter companies contacted Biman to operate flights to evacuate around 45,000 citizens.


Following the request, Biman contacted the insurer company for clearance to operate the flights, he said.
He said, all aircraft are insured by foreign insurers and their clearance is needed for operating flights in the war zone. Because insurance costs will be high for operating such flights.
"Insurance companies discouraged us from operating flights at this moment," he said.
In this perspective, Biman decided not to operate charter flights in Afghanistan, he added.
Currently, various countries are operating charter flights in the war torn country to evacuate their citizens.
Biman has experience of operating such evacuation flight from war torn countries before, especially during the Iran-Iraq war in the 80's

 

[SpaceMan18]

Indian charter company requests Biman to operate evacuation flights in Afghanistan
Insurance company discourages the state flag carrier to operate charter flight in the war torn country

An Indian-based private charter service provider company Air Charter service requested Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate charter flights in Afghanistan to evacuate citizens stuck in the conflict-ridden country.

However, the state carrier decided not to operate charter flights as it did not get clearance from the insurer to operate evacuation flights in the war zone.

Air Commodore Dr Md Mahbub Jahan Khan, director at Corporate Planning and Training, said some third party charter companies contacted Biman to operate flights to evacuate around 45,000 citizens.


Following the request, Biman contacted the insurer company for clearance to operate the flights, he said.
He said, all aircraft are insured by foreign insurers and their clearance is needed for operating flights in the war zone. Because insurance costs will be high for operating such flights.
"Insurance companies discouraged us from operating flights at this moment," he said.
In this perspective, Biman decided not to operate charter flights in Afghanistan, he added.
Currently, various countries are operating charter flights in the war torn country to evacuate their citizens.
Biman has experience of operating such evacuation flight from war torn countries before, especially during the Iran-Iraq war in the 80's

Tell em to go suck it

 

[UKBengali]

Biman needs to stay the hell away from this mess that is of the US's making.

US should ask its own carriers to risk their pilots and crew lives, rather than try and bribe Biman.

 

[Mentee]

To my Bangladeashi brethren,

John Rambo play krny ki koi zaroorat nahi

 

[Wood]

PIA should be the natural choice for such operations. The relationship between Pakistan and Taliban could help in this regard. Wonder why US would not take that line.

 

[Bilal9]

We could send the DC 10 if they hadn't scrapped it.

Gone to the Arizona Airplane Graveyard, probably scrapped too. Nice memories though.

How can India or US expect this?? Our plane fleet age is now below 5 years avg. and insurance company will not allow it.

We bought all brand new 787s and 777-300s. Not even leased.

 

[bluesky]

The evacuation of Afghans is a humanitarian issue. So, it should be thought out in that line. BIMAN should evacuate them with proper protection from American and Turkis forces there when a plane is over the Afghan sky.

 

[mb444]

The evacuation of Afghans is a humanitarian issue. So, it should be thought out in that line. BIMAN should evacuate them with proper protection from American and Turkis forces there when a plane is over the Afghan sky.

I suggest you immediately volunteer to be in one of those flights.... but make sure they do not bring afgans to BD...

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

The yanks can take their proposal and shove it.. let them use their own aircraft.

Clean your own mess fools.

 

[magra]

PIA should be the natural choice for such operations. The relationship between Pakistan and Taliban could help in this regard. Wonder why US would not take that line.

Trust between US and Pak is at an all-time low.

 

[Wood]

Trust between US and Pak is at an all-time low.

Trust has not been the basis of this relationship for a while now. Usually, both parties have been able to come up with an acceptable transaction to achieve each other's objectives. It is strange that at this time, US has decided to opt for Bangladesh instead of a more accessible neighboring country.