Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in procuring 35 new aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines to modernise its fleet and avert future capacity shortages.

"The decision to procure 35 new aircraft is extremely timely. Unless the procurement agreements are finalised now, Biman will face a severe aircraft shortage in the coming years," he said.

The minister made the remarks at the second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday, said a press release. 

The meeting, chaired by committee chairman Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui, discussed the ministry's major activities, aircraft procurement plans, development projects and measures to strengthen transparency and accountability.

Explaining the urgency of the fleet expansion, Millat said newly ordered aircraft could take approximately 10 years to enter service, while several aircraft in Biman's existing fleet would gradually be grounded in the coming years.

He said timely procurement was therefore essential to maintain operational continuity and prevent a future shortage of aircraft.

The minister clarified that the government would not directly finance the acquisition of the 35 aircraft.

"Biman Bangladesh Airlines will gradually repay the procurement costs from its own earnings. The government will act only as a guarantor," he said.

Millat said the government had undertaken effective initiatives to modernise the national flag carrier and equip it to meet future operational requirements.

The parliamentary committee members emphasised the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in all procurement processes and development projects undertaken by the ministry and its subordinate agencies.

Addressing the committee, Millat said the absence of sustained accountability over the past two decades had resulted in the implementation of various projects without proper planning.

"Over the past 20 years, numerous projects were undertaken without proper planning due to a lack of sustained accountability. However, the present government is committed to maintaining 100 percent transparency in all procurement processes," he said.

The minister stressed that parliamentary oversight was crucial to ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability across the ministry's activities.

He also said unnecessary purchases made during previous administrations would be properly investigated.

Reaffirming the government's zero-tolerance policy against corruption, Millat said procurement decisions and development initiatives must be undertaken with due consideration for national interests and financial accountability.

Referring to plans for an international airport in Bogura, the minister said approximately 2,000 acres of land would be required for the proposed facility.

He said plans were being prepared to develop a runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft.

The proposed airport development was also discussed as part of the ministry's broader aviation infrastructure plans.

Millat urged members of the parliamentary standing committee to play an active role in ensuring that the ministry's activities were carried out transparently and efficiently.

Members of the parliamentary committee and senior officials of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry and its subordinate departments and agencies attended the meeting.