By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh is to adopt a three-month “open sky” policy to clear the rush of thousands of workers heading for the Gulf and Malaysia, stranded because of the failure of national carrier Biman.
Media reports have said that many workers were in the danger of losing their jobs for failing to report to the countries where they work.
As per the open-sky policy, the air service agreements with local and foreign airlines would be suspended for the period so that they can operate as many flights as they wish to carry passengers from Bangladesh.
There has been shortage of flights and tickets since the loss-making Biman Bangladesh Airline Ltd, declared a public limited corporation some weeks ago, is in the period of transition.
Around 1.4 lakh workers are now ready to leave for Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in the next two months.
According to a cabinet decision taken Wednesday, Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong and Osmani Airport in Sylhet will remain open to designated airlines from next month.
Hajj flights will remain outside the policy purview.
Eighteen airlines now operate flights to and from Bangladesh.
“Our main objective behind the adoption of the open-sky policy is to ensure smooth movement of people working abroad,” civil aviation secretary Sheikh Altaf Ali told media after the meeting.