CAAB mulls limited flights from next week

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is working to resume operations of domestic and international flights on a limited scale after May 8 if the coronavirus situation improves or remains steady by then.

It was also preparing a set of guidelines for air operators, airports authorities and passengers to ensure health safety of travelers and others concerned, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman told The Daily Star yesterday.

"We are preparing to resume flight operations after May 8 if the coronavirus situation improves by then. But we will open airport operations partially."

He said they would permit local and foreign airlines to operate flights on a limited scale. For example, the local airlines would be asked to operate one or two flights daily to and from Dhaka.

"We are also working on how to ensure health safety for all concerned, including passengers, employees and officials of airports and airlines," Mafidul said.

The CAAB chief said they have already asked all airlines operating from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to provide masks and gloves to passengers while entering airports, no matter whether they have their own safety gear or not.

He said the CAAB has asked the officials of all domestic airports to carry out disinfection activities on a regular basis.

"We have asked the airlines authorities to ensure social distancing of passengers inside aircrafts. In that case, the number of passengers will have to be limited in each flight," Mafidul said.

Sources at domestic airlines said passengers can now buy tickets for any date after May 8. In case of further extension of the suspension on flight operations by the CAAB, the passengers will be refunded the tickets.

The CAAB on April 27 extended the ongoing ban on scheduled passenger flight operations with 16 countries until May 7 to slow the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

The countries are Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE and the UK. China, however, remained out of the purview of the ban.

Flight operations on domestic routes will also remain suspended until May 7, according to a CAAB release.

However, cargo flights, air ambulance, emergency landing, special flights, and flights carrying relief materials will remain out the purview of the restriction.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines on April 29 extended the suspension on flight operations on all its 17 international and seven domestic routes till May 15 amid the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The government earlier extended the countrywide shutdown till May 5. The shutdown was enforced on March 26.