An Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) report reveals millions embezzled in State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines in the name of leasing aircraft and buying of equipment etc.

The report underlines eight types of corruption. They are, corruption in a. buying and leasing planes, b. maintenance and overhauling, c. ground service, d. cargo export-import.

Irregularities have also been found in passenger handling, baggage charges, ticket sales and food catering.

Reportedly, in buying spare parts and ground handling equipment, large amount of money is transacted illegally.

It’s believed that there is a nexus between middlemen and some unprincipled officials of Biman.

As per report, billions are embezzled every year though the corrupt elements remain untouched.

The report states that massive corruption takes place in ground service where low quality equipment is purchased in a collusive arrangement between officials and contractors.

Regarding cargo service irregularities, the report says that due to corruption, Biman is getting lower airway bills. Other complaints include making phantom food bills, tampering with import export records, skimming excess baggage charges etc.

The report also underlined the rampant ticket corruption, as a result of which, tickets are not available online though many seats remain empty in the plane. This is because other airlines are given the chance to sell their tickets, the report states. 

As for food, the report calls the menu ‘low quality’ which does not have any monitoring.