United Airways could once again take to the skies as efforts are underway to revive the long-grounded airline, according to its founder and former managing director, Captain Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury.
Speaking out against a recently circulated online post containing what he described as “completely false and fabricated allegations” about him, his personal history and United Airways, Tasbirul said he remains committed to reviving the airline for its shareholders, employees and the wider aviation sector.
United Airways began scheduled operations in 2007. The airline later suspended operations amid financial difficulties and eventually ceased all flights in 2016. In February 2021, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) restructured the company’s board and removed Tasbirul from the board as part of an effort to revive the company.
‘The allegations are completely baseless’
Tasbirul said the allegations now circulating online have emerged nearly two decades after United Airways began operations and claimed that there is no evidence to support them.
He also disputed several personal details published in the post, including his hometown and address, saying the inaccuracies demonstrate that the information was not properly verified before publication.
According to Tasbirul, claims concerning businesses linked to him, including TAC Perfumes and property in Dubai, are also misleading. He said he had been involved in business long before United Airways was established and continues to operate businesses.
He further rejected a claim that United Airways had taken Tk300 crore from Agrani Bank, saying the company did not even have a loan account with the bank.
Dispute over United Airways’ collapse
Tasbirul said United Airways received its operating licence in 2006 and subsequently faced what he described as sustained non-cooperation from government agencies after the change in government.
He alleged that political and regulatory pressure contributed to the airline’s difficulties, naming several individuals, including Salman F Rahman, Mahtabur Rahman and former BSEC chairman Shibli Rubayat.
These claims represent Tasbirul’s account of events and have not been independently established in the material reviewed for this report.
Public reporting has previously documented disputes between United Airways management and aviation regulators. In 2018, Tasbirul told The Daily Star that the airline had faced difficulties obtaining adequate hangar space, counters and timely aircraft inspections and approvals.
Legal battles
Tasbirul said he has pursued legal action over what he considers unlawful conduct by officials and others involved with the airline.
He said he filed a case against CAAB officials in 2015 seeking Tk1,208 crore in damages, alleging that regulatory actions contributed to United Airways’ financial collapse.
He also said he subsequently filed another case naming Shibli Rubayat, Dr Shamsuddin, Mahtabur Rahman, Nazrul Islam, Kazi Wahidul Alam and others, which he said is currently under investigation.
‘I was removed in 2021’
Regarding the aircraft that remain grounded at airports, Tasbirul said he continued trying to resolve the situation until February 2021.
He alleged that the BSEC subsequently removed him from his executive role and installed a new board.
BSEC records and contemporary reporting confirm that the regulator restructured United Airways’ board in February 2021 and removed former managing director Tasbirul Alam Chowdhury from the board.
Tasbirul said responsibility for the condition of the company’s assets after that transition should therefore rest with the management and board that took over.
‘I have not sold my shares’
Tasbirul said his continued ownership of United Airways shares demonstrates that he has not abandoned the company.
“If I ever had any intention of running from this, I would have sold my shares,” he said, adding that he has not sold any of his shares to date.
Earlier reporting has also quoted Tasbirul making a similar claim about retaining his shares. However, BSEC and media reports have documented broader disputes over the company’s finances, governance and share transactions.
‘We are working to bring United Airways back’
The central message from Tasbirul is that he wants United Airways back in operation.
He said he has been working since the change of government to explore ways of restarting the airline, with the interests of its shareholders and former employees in mind.
United Airways raised Tk100 crore through its 2010 IPO and later issued rights shares. Public reporting has put the company’s liabilities at around Tk800 crore, including substantial dues to CAAB and other creditors, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing any revival effort.
Tasbirul said he intends to work with the present government and relevant authorities to find a way forward.
He believes a successful revival could benefit the country’s aviation sector by creating employment, retaining foreign currency within the country and increasing connectivity and competition.
‘Negative campaign will not stop the effort’
Tasbirul also alleged that renewed negative publicity against him and United Airways is linked to his recent efforts to revive the airline.
He suggested that competitors who could potentially be affected by the airline’s return may have an interest in preventing its revival.
“I expect this kind of lazy propaganda to become more common,” he said, while insisting that such efforts would not deter him.
For now, the future of United Airways remains tied to its financial liabilities, regulatory issues and the possibility of restructuring its operations. But Tasbirul says his objective remains unchanged: to see United Airways flying again and to protect the interests of its shareholders and stakeholders.
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