Bangladesh Airlines Pilots’ Association (BAPA) celebrated its 50th anniversary at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Tuesday.
BAPA, an organisation of the pilots working at the state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines, celebrated the anniversary through a colourful programme.
BAPA president Captain Mahbubur Rahman said, "The East Pakistan Airlines Pilots’ Association was formed from the Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association. After the War of Liberation, Bangladesh Airlines was born and Bangladesh Airlines Pilots’ Association (BAPA) was also formed. From the very beginning of the modernization of the aircraft, BAPA is actively involved, and will continue in the future.”
On the organization's 50th anniversary, it honored freedom fighter pilots, former BAPA leaders and former pilots of it.
Captain Sahabuddin Ahmed Bir Uttam, one of the founding members of the BAPA said, "We decided to form the East Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association at Shaheed Captain Alamgir's house in 1968. But when we applied for registration, the Pakistani government rejected it. Later we went to the court. Based on court order, the East Pakistan Airlines Pilots’ Association was formed on August 15, 1970 with only members."
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, State Minister for External Affairs Shahriar Alam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Air Marshal (Retd) Enamul Bari, CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Mokabir Hossain, Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mofidur Rahman, President of the International Federation of Airlines Pilots Association (EFALPA) Jack Nexter, Executive Vice President Captain Ishtiaq Hossain, Baby Member (Flight Standards and Regulations) Group Captain Chowdhury. Ziaul Kabir, Member (Air Traffic Management) Group Captain Abu Saeed Mehboob Khan, Director (Flight Safety and Regulations) Wing Commander Imranur Rahman, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Director AHM Touhid-ul Ahsan, Director (Avshek) and Avashek Rahman, among others, were present at the programme.
