Civil Aviation, Tourism ministry has decided not to assign NAS Air airlines for carrying hajjis
No third carrier including National Air Services (NAS Air) to fly hajj pilgrims, a Saudi Arabian state owned airlines would be allowed to carry passengers to Saudi Arabia in this hajj season.
Only Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines would be allowed to carry pilgrims this year, despite having a direction from the High Court to allow a third carrier for carrying pilgrims.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon told reporters about the decision of the ministry on Wednesday.
Earlier, the minister rejected the proposal of the country to allow NAS Air for carrying pilgrims given by Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Dhaka, Abdullah bin Nasser Al Basiri while meeting with him at his secretariat office.
Menon said the KSA envoy gave the proposal to allow the controversial airline to carry pilgrims. We have rejected their proposal as it is an inefficient and irresponsible air agency. There are lots of allegations against the agency.
“We have rejected their proposal to carry pilgrims; however they would be allowed to carry passengers for Umrah. We will consider it,” he added.
He said: “We want Biman and Saudi Arabian Airlines to carry pilgrims, as it would be easy for us to tackle them. So, we have decided not to allow any third carrier. There will be no third carrier this year.”
According to the civil aviation ministry, the NAS Air had carried pilgrims in 2011 and 2012. However, the pilgrims had to suffer at Jeddah Airport. They had to wait for a long time, in some cases three days, at the airport.
The hajjis had to face distresses after returning to Bangladesh. Most of the hajjis had returned home without anything, as they had lost their luggage. So, the ministry decided not to assign the airlines for carrying hajj pilgrims.
Source: Dhaka Tribune