"If it is done, some airlines may not be able to operate on the allocated international routes as they would not meet the requirements set by Caab to get a final licence," Managing Director of GMG Airlines Shahab Sattar told The Daily Star in an interview yesterday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab) on Thursday issued Provisional Air Transport Operating Licence (Patol) to GMG to operate on international routes for passenger carrying. Three other private airlines-- Bismillah Airlines, Air Bangladesh and Air Parabat --are going to have similar licence soon.

Sattar said 41 companies have obtained provisional licence for domestic and international cargo operation but only a few are currently in operation as they do not fulfil the requirements set by Caab to get final Air Transport Operating Licence (Atol).

"So if the international routes are allocated on the basis of the provisional licence, the government's open-up policy would go in vain," Sattar said apprehending that some incapable companies might get viable routes in this process. On the other hand, he said, the competent airlines may be allocated non-prospective routes.

To get Atol for starting operation of international air services, Caab asked GMG to meet six requirements within six months.

The requirements are establishment of maintenance organisation as per Air Navigation Orders (airworthiness) which includes submission of general engineering manual, aircraft maintenance programme and aircraft minimum equipment list; establishment of operational organisation including flight operations manual; submission of design standard of aircraft; submission of aircraft lease agreement; insurance documents and such other documents as required by Caab.

The managing director of GMG, which went into domestic operation in 1998, said as the airline already has all the required documents certified by Caab, it would submit those within a day or two to Caab for getting the Atol.

On modification of state level air services agreements (ASAs), he said though some of them would require consultation, the ASA with India would not need modification as already there is provision for a second airline in the agreement, signed in 1978.

Under the ASA, India designated two airlines while Bangladesh designated one -- Biman Bangladesh Airlines. "Now Caab is required to designate a second airline to fly to Indian destinations," Sattar said.

At present Biman can fulfil only 60 per cent frequency of flights under the agreement with India.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has earlier formed a three-member committee comprising secretary of the ministry, chairman of Caab and managing director of Biman to allocate international routes to licensees.

However, many in the industry are critical of the move as no private sector representative has been included in the committee.

"Once we get an Atol we can start international operation by 90 days," Sattar said.

He said vital thing will be the routes, the Caab will give permission to operate on. GMG would prefer Dhaka-Kolkata route to start its international operation. Then it would expand to other regional routes like New Delhi and Kathmandu, he added.