Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the country’s national flag carrier, is facing a growing crisis of discipline among its cabin and cockpit crew, with recent incidents involving theft, attempted desertion, and alleged smuggling tarnishing its reputation both at home and abroad.
The latest scandal involves senior flight purser Masuma, who was caught shoplifting in Muscat, Oman. After years of serving mostly in ground roles, she was recently assigned as the cabin chief on a Muscat-bound flight in May. During her stay at City Seasons Hotel—where the Biman crew typically lodge—Masuma was apprehended while trying to leave a popular nearby shopping center, KM Hypermarket, with a suitcase full of unpaid items.
According to sources, Masuma purchased several items but deliberately avoided paying for a suitcase filled with goods. Her actions were captured on CCTV and flagged by the mall’s security personnel. They contacted the hotel and brought Masuma along with several other crew members to the store for questioning. When confronted, Masuma initially denied the accusation, but security officials presented the surveillance footage, confirming the theft.
Masuma was fined 350 Omani riyals—approximately Tk 115,000. Unable to pay on the spot, she reportedly borrowed the amount from fellow crew members. As the flight`s chief purser, Masuma initially attempted to conceal the incident, but word quickly spread among the crew, eventually reaching Biman authorities, who grounded her from further flight duties.
This is not an isolated case. Just weeks earlier, another Biman crew member, FSS Helen, was also grounded for committing a similar act of theft in Muscat.
Other cases of misconduct further paint a troubling picture. Chief purser Setara Nasreen Nishi was stopped by immigration at Dubai airport after attempting to travel with an expired ID card. She was detained and sent back to Bangladesh on the same flight in a non-operational status. Despite the severity of the breach, no formal disciplinary action has reportedly been taken against her.
On May 31, cabin crew member Syeda Nusrat Jahan (Binti) attempted to desert her post during a scheduled stopover in Toronto, following a Biman flight from Dhaka. After the crew checked into the Marriott Hotel, Binti disappeared without informing anyone. The disappearance caused alarm, and Biman officials eventually managed to contact her and persuade her to return to the hotel the following day under pressure. She has since been issued a show-cause notice by Biman. The flight`s chief purser, Hafsa Ahmed Shilpi, was also served a show-cause notice for her handling of the matter.
Adding to the string of misfortunes, Biman’s experienced captain Saifuzzaman Guddu tragically died during a personal outing to a lakeside cottage in Lindsay, Ontario, while off duty following the same Toronto flight.
Beyond individual misconduct, more serious allegations have surfaced involving smuggling activities by some crew members. According to Biman sources, multiple cabin crew have been implicated in gold smuggling, drug trafficking, and carrying undeclared mobile phones. While some crew members have been caught and fined, most reportedly return to duty without significant disciplinary consequences.
Insiders claim that a powerful syndicate within Biman`s scheduling department is enabling these operations. The network allegedly includes over 50 crew members who routinely use flights from the Middle East—including Saudi Arabia and Dubai—to smuggle gold and other high-value goods.
While Biman claims that departmental actions are taken upon receiving formal complaints, observers argue that enforcement is often selective and inadequate, allowing repeat offenders to act with impunity.
In response to recent scandals, Biman has grounded Masuma and issued show-cause letters to Binti and Hafsa. The airline also stated that five crew members are currently under investigation for suspected involvement in gold smuggling and other violations.
Additionally, new directives have been issued, instructing pilots and cabin crew to strictly adhere to pre-departure protocols during overseas layovers. However, aviation experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.
“Discipline is collapsing within Biman’s ranks because accountability is weak,” said aviation analyst Wahidul Alam. “If senior officials at Biman and the Civil Aviation Authority don`t enforce stricter oversight and ensure meaningful punishment, such behavior will persist.”
The repeated incidents are not only causing internal disruption but also damaging Biman’s global reputation. As the national flag carrier, Biman represents Bangladesh in international skies. Every incident of theft, smuggling, or misconduct by its employees adds to a growing perception of indiscipline and mismanagement.
“There is a sense of impunity among some of the crew. They know they can get away with it,” said a senior Biman staff member who requested anonymity.
When contacted, Biman’s General Manager of Public Relations, ABM Roushan Kabir, acknowledged the incidents and assured that disciplinary measures are in place. “Whenever a complaint is received, we take immediate departmental action,” he said.
However, Director of Customer Service Md. Rashedul Islam—who oversees passenger-facing operations—did not respond to repeated calls over two days seeking comment.
