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The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has temporarily suspended all promotion activities at Biman Bangladesh Airlines following allegations of irregularities, corruption, and administrative misconduct in the airline’s Engineering Department.
According to an official letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Sharmin Akter on August 3, the ministry will form an investigation committee to examine the allegations.
All recent promotion processes will remain suspended until the committee submits its findings, after which further decisions will be made, it said.
Ministry sources said the action was prompted by a written complaint from an official in Biman’s Engineering Department.
The complaint alleges that an influential group has long manipulated promotions, committed administrative irregularities, and engaged in corrupt practices to maintain control within the department.
The complaint further claims that 15 approved posts were removed from a key division and replaced with an allegedly unlawful promotion proposal.
A meeting regarding the matter was reportedly held on June 28.
It also warns that reducing manpower approved under the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh’s (CAAB) Part-145 regulations could jeopardize flight safety and compliance with international aviation standards.
According to the allegations, a syndicate has been working to promote several junior employees who joined in late 2022 directly to Group-6 positions.
The complaint also alleges that around Tk 3.1 million was exchanged through illegal financial transactions related to the promotion process.
Additionally, the complaint accuses authorities of delaying the promotion files of eight qualified engineers, withholding license allowances, and committing various administrative irregularities.
Other allegations include denying promotions to eligible officials, granting promotions without mandatory interviews, creating artificial vacancies through transfers before reinstating officials to their previous posts, promoting junior employees over senior ones, providing technical allowances to officials not performing technical duties, showing different postings on paper, and favouritism in contractual appointments.
The complaint also alleges salary payments for non-existent positions within the organizational structure, transferring officials accused of irregularities instead of taking disciplinary action, and irregular promotions in the Printing and Publications Department.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines officials confirmed that they have received the ministry’s directive and said the matter is now under investigation.
