State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat on Wednesday said the government plans to ensure that passengers, especially overseas travellers, receive their luggage at the belt immediately after immigration process.

The initiative is part of a broader plan to improve airport services, he told reporters on his first working day at Secretariat after assuming office.

“We have already started planning. We want to redesign the airport along with the Chairman and the Secretary of Civil Aviation so that passengers do not face difficulties from ticketing to luggage handling,” he said.

The state minister said the aim is to prevent passengers from waiting one to two hours for their luggage and from falling victim to corruption.

On tackling syndicates in ticketing, he said in many cases, flights go empty while people cannot get tickets and syndicates are behind this.  “We have taken responsibility and are aware of the problems. Soon people will notice gradual but significant improvements. We aim to give a hint of change within the next one or two weeks.”

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Responding to questions about investigating corruption over the past 15 years, he said surely corruption allegations will be investigated. “Many are already in jail. The sector is not fully corruption-free yet and we will work to fix that.”

He also said he will sit with the secretary and relevant officials and hold discussions especially regarding tourism which is a major focus of the ministry.