Grounded pilot to be sent to S'pore for medical

He will be examined by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-approved doctors in Singapore. If found fit, Biman will put him on the pilots' list and if not, he will remain grounded.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the authorities and the Biman Steering Committee, a platform of seven unions of Biman staff.

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State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin, who attended the meeting held at the Biman headquarters, also assured the staff of meeting their other demands by November 20, sources said.

The minister convened the meeting following an ultimatum by the steering committee on Monday to withdraw suspension of the pilot within 72 hours.

Capt. SM Nasimul Haque, Airbus commander and president of Bangladesh Airlines Pilots' Association (BAPA), was earlier declared unfit on health grounds to fly aircraft.

The Directorate of Medical Services of Bangladesh Air Force, which conducts medicals of all Biman pilots every six months, declared him unfit due to diabetes. Under the ICAO guidelines, pilots with controlled diabetes can fly aircraft.

After the meeting yesterday, Nasimul Haque said he was sure he would be 'cleared' by the doctors in Singapore.

Fakhrul Alam Bhuiyan, president of the steering committee, said the minister has formed three committees to meet their longstanding demands, which include 60 per cent dearness allowance, non-extension of costly lease agreement of two Boeing 737s and permanent agreements with pilots and flight attendants.

The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Shafiqul Islam, Biman Managing Director Lutfur Rahman, directors of Biman and representatives of the steering committee.