Captain Basit Mahtab, president of Bangladesh Airlines Pilots Association (BAPA) and fleet chief of Biman’s Boeing 777 aircraft, has been allegedly flying commercial planes for 31 years with a license obtained through fraudulent documentation.

Media investigation uncovered evidence on Friday that four pilots received commercial pilot licenses without meeting mandatory flight hour requirements set by Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Revelation raises serious concerns about passenger safety and Bangladesh’s standing in international aviation standards.

According to CAAB regulations following International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, pilots need 200 flight hours including 100 solo flying hours to obtain commercial pilot license. However, documents reveal these pilots received licenses despite falling far short of requirements.

Captain Basit Mahtab’s certificate issued on April 16, 1992 shows he had only 33 hours and 45 minutes of solo flight experience when obtaining commercial license. Another flying certificate issued on June 10, 1992 from Bangladesh Air Force Academy indicates 155 hours as pilot in command.

Investigation discovered crucial detail between these certificates. Document dated April 25, 1992 shows that Bangladesh Air Force dismissed Basit Mahtab due to slow progress in flight training. This means his 155-hour flying certificate was issued after dismissal from service, raising questions about authenticity.

Captain Abdur Rahman Akhand, who flies Biman’s Boeing 737 aircraft, obtained commercial license with less than half required flying hours. Documents show that only 26 hours and 5 minutes as solo pilot.

Captain Anis Ahmed’s flying certificate submitted for license showed total flight hours of 162 hours and 40 minutes, well below mandatory 200 hours.

Captain Fariel Bilkis Ahmed faces allegations of duplicate entries in logbook. Same flight time was entered in both P1 and P2 columns, which typically serve different purposes. This appears to artificially inflate flight hour calculations.

Biman’s preliminary investigation committee described allegations as sensitive and recommended grounding all four accused pilots until investigation concludes. However, airline has not suspended them. Instead, they continue operating flights on important international routes.

When contacted, accused pilots denied all allegations. Captain Basit told media, “These are clearly false. Someone is doing this deliberately. You understand after 35 years, what are these?”

Captain Akhand refused comment, saying: “I won’t give you any statement. Talk to concerned department. Talk to Biman or Civil Aviation Authority.”

Group Captain (retd) Mofizur Rahman, Secretary General of Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh, warned that failure to resolve pilot licensing issues quickly will further damage Bangladesh’s international aviation standing. “Weaknesses in our system can significantly affect standards, as noted by foreign oversight bodies like ICAO.,” he said.

CAAB provided brief written statement to media, “Detailed review regarding accused pilots is ongoing.” Investigation committee formed on February 19 was given 15-day deadline to submit report. However, 1 month and 13 days later, report remains unpublished.

Licenses are issued from CAAB’s FSR department, though some obtain licenses from manpower division even without meeting flight hour requirements. While CAAB has taken action in some fraud cases after detection, authority has remained indifferent in majority of instances.

Aviation experts warn that unless CAAB stops such practices, Bangladesh’s airspace faces serious threats and passenger safety will remain at risk.