ZIA shortcomings

They have identified a number of flaws like cracks in the runway, inefficiency of the air-navigational equipment including the radar systems etc. The complaints need to be addressed for very obvious reasons. It is a bit surprising that the civil aviation authorities could not act before such complaints were actually made, given the huge stake of human lives involved in flight operations. Let us have a look at the complaints. First, a rutted runway can be a source of fatal accidents, and that is equally true for the domestic flights as well. Not maintaining the needed structural soundness of the runway amounts to inviting grave trouble. Second, our sky is now congested as so many airlines are operating flights to Dhaka. This is a highly positive development, but a poor radar system could cause serious trouble any time.

Meanwhile, new aircraft are being purchased or taken on lease, but unless we have the right kind of infrastructure for safe landing and take-off, all the ambitious plan to add to Biman's existing fleet will begin to sound hollow.

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Our aviation related infrastructure has been termed to be the poorest in the world, despite the industry having great potential. The Danish proposal to invest TK 33 crore for improving the aviation infrastructure is taking a rather long time to get the relevant ministry's nod. It is reported to have already been delayed by a year. However, it is not clear why an issue, as serious as maintaining aviation standards, did not receive the kind of attention that it deserves. The government should immediately okay the project and make sure that things are set right at ZIA. That will not only address the complaints of the foreign airlines, but will also restore ZIA's status as an international airport with all the required safety standards and other facilities.