Saidul Haque
  The authority concerned of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is trying to appoint a skilled aviation person as its managing director (MD) in a bid to make profit from the state-owned airlines.

The appointment of a new MD and chief executive officer (CEO) will be completed by the next two months through formal advertisement process, said a Biman director preferring not to be named.

Sources said Biman Chairman Air Marshal (retd) Jamal Uddin Ahmed is giving priority to foreign aviation experts or skilled businessmen for the post.

However, Capt Sheikh Naseer Uddin Ahmed, planning director of Biman, officially took the acting charge of MD and CEO on Wednesday noon according to the decision of Biman’s board of directors, said Biman officials.

In the face of demonstrations by Biman staff members, MD and CEO of Biman Air Commodore (retd) Muhammad Zakiul Islam tendered his resignation at the meeting of the board of directors on April 20.

In the board meeting, most of the members including its chairman accused Zakiul Islam for the protest of its staff members. According to the agreement, Zakiul was supposed to be relieved from the post in June this year but he decided to resign before completion of the agreement, sources said.

When contacted, Zakiul Islam refused to make any comment in this regard.

Though Zakiul resigned on April 20, he continued his office till April 24 following the request of Biman authority, said a Biman official.

Under the banner of Biman Bachao Oikya Parishad, some eight associations of Biman, including Biman Officers’ Association, Biman Workers Union, Biman’s Employee Association, Cabin Crew Association, Society of Aircraft Engineers’ of Biman and BAPA have long been protesting against the existing board of directors for their alleged involvement in massive corruption.

Pilots, employees and workers of the national flag carrier has been agitating since March 5 to press home their one-point demand—dissolution of the existing board of directors.

They also threatened to go for tougher movement after April 30 if the existing board of directors is not dissolved.