The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is struggling with inspection of aircrafts in the country for the lack of adequate manpower.
The CAAB, which clears all aircrafts coming into the country as well as licensing pilots, is also responsible for inspecting to make sure they are properly maintained.
There are now four airlines operating in Bangladesh, with 33 airplanes in their fleet. The eight helicopters services operate 23 choppers. Besides these, the four cargo airlines and flying academies operate some small aircrafts.
Over 300 pilots are employed in these organisations.
CAAB’s Flight Safety and Regulations wing is in charge of checking whether the aircrafts go through regular maintenances and fit for operating flights. But it has only 12 people to do the job and its organogram, formed in 1985, does not allow anymore.
To address the issue, it has employed as many as 45 consultants on contracts.
A new organogram is awaiting the government’s nod, says CAAB Director (Flight Safety and Regulations) Wing Commander Chowdhury M Ziaul Kabir.
“More appointments will be possible for the flight safety division once the new organogram is cleared. As many 127 people can be employed in the first phase,” he told Bangla Tribune.