Govt moves to train poor, talented students as pilots: Minister

The government is moving to establish a flying academy to help poor and talented students become pilots and overcome the huge hurdle of Tk1 crore training cost, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita has said.

She was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a two-day training programme on aviation journalism at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) seminar hall in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The programme was organised by PIB in collaboration with the Bangladesh Aviation and Tourism Journalists Association (BATJA) and chaired by PIB Director General Faruk Wasif.

The minister said Biman Bangladesh Airlines would work with the Air Force Welfare Trust to establish the proposed flying academy, which would help students from low-income families overcome the high cost of pilot training.

“We want poor and talented students to become pilots. Many young people in our country want to become pilots but cannot pursue their dream because of the cost,” the minister said.

“Biman will teach the students and they will receive flight training. Our first target is to ensure that talented students from poor families can become pilots,” she said.

Discussions on the proposed academy are currently under way, she added.

High training cost

Rita said she decided to pursue the initiative after learning that many talented students could not enter the profession because of the high cost of pilot training.

“We have many young people who want to become pilots but cannot afford it. We are moving ahead with this initiative to create opportunities for them,” she said.

She also said Bangladesh has a shortage of pilots and needs to develop more trained professionals.

Biman revival plan

The minister said the government was working to improve Biman Bangladesh Airlines and restore public confidence in the national flag carrier.

Discussions have been held with Airbus and Singapore-based partners, while work is also under way on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, she said.

The government is also considering using the large area available in Lalmonirhat for aviation-related activities, although no final decision has been made.

“There is a misconception that Biman can no longer improve. We want to change that perception,” Rita said.

HSIA Terminal 3 opening target

On Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) Terminal 3, the minister said the government’s current target was to open it on 16 December.

“There is no information with us yet that the opening will be delayed. Our plan at present is to open it on 16 December,” she said.

She acknowledged that technical and mechanical issues could affect the timeline but said efforts were continuing to make the terminal operational as soon as possible.

Responsible aviation journalism

Speaking at the event, PIB Director General Faruk Wasif said aviation journalism should cover not only aircraft and tourism but also issues related to the economy, national security and Bangladesh’s international image.

“Journalism is not merely a profession or a means of livelihood; it is a great responsibility,” he said.

He urged journalists to strengthen field reporting, fact-checking and investigative journalism and move away from “predatory journalism” and “laptop journalism”.

He also stressed the importance of truth, accountability and public interest in aviation reporting.