737 is used on the kl route. brand new planes will be 777s and 737-800s in 2009 and all 777s, 787s and 737-900ers from 2012-2014.

737-800/-900ERs are fine choices. As for the 777s, I hope GMG takes in the -300ER/-200LR and NOT the -200ER. The -200ER is on a decline in the 777 product life cycle and the -300ER and -200LR are the ones on growth/maturity stage, and will have greater residual value as well as greater flexibility. While the -300ER is in a league of its own, even the -200LR is practically MORE ECONOMICAL than the -200ER in certain cases of tricky operations! As for the 787s, the choice among the -3/-8/-9 and the 'soon-to-be-launched' -10 models will have to be determined based on GMG's network growth plans.

Why isn't Gmg looking at the E-jets to replace the MD's(instead of piling more!), considering they are more suitable and economical for their Indian & Bkk operation? With a gloom outlook for this year, Gmg could snatch a good bargain from Embraer :lol:

CRJ/ERJ's can't take any revenue cargo. It can only take the pax and their baggages. Most regional operations ex-DAC would warrant substantial revenue cargo to justify the B737NG/A320 class aircraft.

Since the 737NG/A320s have massive production backlogs, factory-fresh frames won't be available from the manufacturers until at least 2011 if ordered today (unless leasing co's like ILFC/GECAS can get some). Until the new-build 737NGs are ready to be delivered, GMG will have to do with used MD-80s/B737s/A320s on lease for the interim period.

That's fantastic! Can't wait to fly Bd's own 777!! Why did Z5 take such a long time to go for new bodies?:ohno: Competition from new entrants did help then..

Who is funding the new bodies? The deal must be going through a leasing company considering the delivery backlog of Boeing?

Why isn't Gmg looking at the E-jets to replace the MD's(instead of piling more!), considering they are more suitable and economical for their Indian & Bkk operation? With a gloom outlook for this year, Gmg could snatch a good bargain from Embraer :lol:

it takes long time as planes cost a lot of money and require infrastructure and a solid market position; boeing will finance them directly; the planes will be purchased and a signing should happen in the next few month.

I don't think GMG will buy brand-new 777-300ER/200LR. They'll buy/lease -200ER.

it takes long time as planes cost a lot of money and require infrastructure and a solid market position; boeing will finance them directly; the planes will be purchased and a signing should happen in the next few month.

Since lb06040 seem to have insider info on the operation of GMG; it is true that GMG will get the planes (if they were to buy) at the substantially lower cost than the list price?

Since lb06040 seem to have insider info on the operation of GMG; it is true that GMG will get the planes (if they were to buy) at the substantially lower cost than the list price?

Zero per cent aircraft sales by the manufacturers are executed by the list prices, and the discount rates typically vary between 10% to up to 50%. Rumour has it that ANA as the launch customer of the 787 were given 50% off, and Qantas also supposedly squeezed a very sweet deal out of Boeing.

Since the production backlog of the 787 is massive now, and promising to get even bigger if Boeing is to launch the -10 soon, I think for orders placed in 2008 and for delivery in 2014 or beyond, the typical discounts off list prices could be around 35%. An airline pressing for delivery sooner than 2014 would mean Boeing selling its premium-priced reserved production slots...though the recent delays of the 787 programme has hurt a little, and the subprime induced credit crunch for the airline industry is becoming a worrying concern for the manufacturers and airlines alike.

In any case, the average discount to Z5 if it is to order for new airplanes with Boeing now should be around 25% for the bunch of 737s, 777s, and 787s.

Disclaimer: this is an absolute speculation, and I ain't betting anything on these assumptions! :)

Imran Can you explain why the Aircraft manufacturers would have such a big discrepancy between the list and the actual sale price?

Imran Can you explain why the Aircraft manufacturers would have such a big discrepancy between the list and the actual sale price?

Padding for corrupt officials?? :lol:

^^ I highly doubt it since Boeing's and Airbus's financial report are available to the public due to the fact that these companies are listed in the stock exchange in their respected countries. But then again when there is will, they can (maybe?) manipulated it???

Biman A310

http://www.planespotting.net/assets/0x029.php?a=VIE&o=LOWW&p=164&r=S2-ADF&d=10897&f=0000563-419ed300564ca090445d3924388e49da.jpg&s=0&v=1000

it takes long time as planes cost a lot of money and require infrastructure and a solid market position; boeing will finance them directly; the planes will be purchased and a signing should happen in the next few month.

Now that's great news. Really new? New 777?
Way to go GMG! :cheers:

Biman A310


Nice picture! What airport?

Nice picture! What airport?

The photographer wrote Vienna, Schwechat; maybe Biman had an unexpected landing there.

Nice picture! What airport?

I was about to say the same as well!! Love long exposure shots. I first thought it was DXB...

The photographer wrote Vienna, Schwechat; maybe Biman had an unexpected landing there.

"Diverted to Vienna after a Cabin Pressure problem."

Found two more photos for that incident.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9361/1048793566ja0.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4285/1048495230dm1.jpg




Same location, same lighting but one looks more soothing. Good example of photographer's (+ his kit:) ) influence in a photograph.

biman has got to update their livery.. Those cheatlines make it look so 1970s

^^ What can I say, I guess the creative arts department is sleeping. :bash:

Imran Can you explain why the Aircraft manufacturers would have such a big discrepancy between the list and the actual sale price?

Primarily it's a nice marketing tool. The manufacturer goes on to tell the customers that a particular aircraft is worth the (list) price and its return on investment through a specific utilization pattern would be blah blah blah...and then they allow the airlines to negotiate and agree on a discounted price which pleases both the airline and the manufacturer enough to sign up for a firm contract. The offered discount rates by the manufacturer varies depending on the specific customer, the size of the order, potential of future orders, its strength in the region, etc.

Padding for corrupt officials?? :lol:

Well, Boeing can't give kickbacks from this "padding" to anyone, even if it wanted to, because of the US Trade Advocacy Bureau which is a pretty strict organization for the job it does. To get a deal, Boeing might enjoy the political/commercial influence of the US government on the customers country (Israel, Japan, for example), or it might offer a bundled package of maintenance and training along with the actual planes (like they did with ANA for the 787s), or it might agree to invest on infrastructure as per the customers request (as they did with Air India, to invest on the maintenance facility at Nagpur following the order by AI). At the end of the day, still, NO CASH KICKBACKS from Boeing.

As for Airbus, so far they had the freedom to offer kickbacks to snatch a deal (Biman's A310s purchase of 1996 was plagued with that). But now, with the WTO involved in the business of both Boeing and Airbus, I don't think Airbus would be able to get away doing anything like that, especially in cases where Boeing is competing and if they find out about the cash changing hands!

^^ What can I say, I guess the creative arts department is sleeping. :bash:

Creative arts department? At Biman??

How much did you have to drink tonite, Sir???

Creative arts department? At Biman??

How much did you have to drink tonite, Sir???

LOL apparently alot by your reaction :lol:

biman has got to update their livery.. Those cheatlines make it look so 1970s

While I agree with you in that Biman's livery with those cheatlines is completely dated and "un-smart"....some cheatlines though, from actually the 70s or even earlier, still looks as smart as ever...American Airlines...Singapore Airlines...!

Heres the link for the first photo about the GMG 747-300 TF-AMK

http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=01288718&size=large.[/COLOR]


Enjoy it. :banana:

^^ the new GMG 747 looks very classy and inviting ! I hope GMG will turn Dhaka into a major airline hub in the near future. Thanks solomon

Apparently not many carriers have 777-300ER. It's better than previous versions by many standards. So why don't big carriers fly them? It's a bit less fuel efficient than other 777's because it's thrust is better than them. It's cost per unit is also more than others. But personally I think B777-300ER is the best aircraft in today's skies. And I don't think we would see them in deshi carrier fleets soon.

Well there are different numbers being quoted about the actual fleet size of Biman.....my questiones are:

1) How many DC-10 they are still operating? 5 or 4? According to my knowledge it was 5.......but some newspapers are now telling 4......among these......how many are leased?

2) The number of A310 is undoubtedly 3 now (after Dubai accident), though Biman's website is still showing that they have 4 A310. Among these 3, is there any leased one?

3) F-28 is 4 in number and all are purchased.....but the question is how many of them are airworthy now? How many domestic and regional routes Biman is serving now?

4)In the wikipedia it is still showing that Biman is using a leased B747....i guess it was the hajj time thing......or still they r using it? i heard that aircraft was a sub-lease of GMG's lease of it's B747.....

I also have one question abt GMG fleet......exactly how many Dash 8 100, Dash 8 300 and MD 82 they have right now? I am asking cuz various sources are giving different numbers.....

4)In the wikipedia it is still showing that Biman is using a leased B747....i guess it was the hajj time thing......or still they r using it? i heard that aircraft was a sub-lease of GMG's lease of it's B747.....


The B743 was leased by Biman only for the Hajj duties. It then came back with GMG's livery for a longer stint of operation. Wikipedia's info is therefore currently wrong, and even though I edited it recently, unfortunately it was reverted back with wrong information by it's admins.

Apparently not many carriers have 777-300ER. It's better than previous versions by many standards. So why don't big carriers fly them? It's a bit less fuel efficient than other 777's because it's thrust is better than them. It's cost per unit is also more than others. But personally I think B777-300ER is the best aircraft in today's skies. And I don't think we would see them in deshi carrier fleets soon.

Well, if you consider Air France, Emirates, KLM, and Singapore Airlines to be airlines that are BIG ENOUGH, they fly the 777-300ER! The fact that no US carrier flies them yet is because post 9/11 most of the US legacy carriers were cash-strapped and fleet renewal plans of pre-9/11 had to be shelved for a while. Things are up for change though, as evident in Delta's acquisition of the -200LR. Over the next 6 years, I expect many of the current 747-400 operators to opt for the 777-300ER as their 747 fleet grows older than it is now.

I'll correct you in another fact: the 777-300ER is the MOST EFFICIENT 777 model, if you consider its typical mission profile and typical load factor to find the CASM. And if you consider maximum payload and range at MTOW, the plane is in a league of its own. The increase of engine thrust is very well compensated for by its unmatched payload capacity...and the plane will only improve further in the years to come as Boeing has indicated. Its only competition, that too after at least 6 years from now, could be the A350-1000 if Airbus manages to launch the plane as it is on the papers now.

You should see 777s for Bangladeshi carriers fairly soon. BG will be keeping its option open for the -300ER if it goes ahead with the order as planned, though the interim lease might be of -200ERs. Z5 is also in talks with Boeing, and might be preparing itself for an order too.

Well there are different numbers being quoted about the actual fleet size of Biman.....my questiones are:

1) How many DC-10 they are still operating? 5 or 4? According to my knowledge it was 5.......but some newspapers are now telling 4......among these......how many are leased?

2) The number of A310 is undoubtedly 3 now (after Dubai accident), though Biman's website is still showing that they have 4 A310. Among these 3, is there any leased one?

3) F-28 is 4 in number and all are purchased.....but the question is how many of them are airworthy now? How many domestic and regional routes Biman is serving now?

4)In the wikipedia it is still showing that Biman is using a leased B747....i guess it was the hajj time thing......or still they r using it? i heard that aircraft was a sub-lease of GMG's lease of it's B747.....

I also have one question abt GMG fleet......exactly how many Dash 8 100, Dash 8 300 and MD 82 they have right now? I am asking cuz various sources are giving different numbers.....

1. If I'm not mistaken, Biman has 4 DC-10s: S2-ACO/P/Q/R. Of the 2 DC-10s leased from Pegasus, one crashed in Chittagong, and the other (S2-ACS) is supposed to be going back to Pegasus after a failed attempt by Biman to buy it. Of the 4 DC-10s that Biman owns, at least one is not airworthy due to mx and engine requirements for quite a long time now.

2. Biman has 3 A310-300s as of now (S2-ADF/H/K). Two of these were bought from Airbus and the 3rd one (S2-ADK) was on lease with Biman from Crane International and has recently been bought up by Biman for US$ 12m using a part of the cash the airline received from the insurance claim following the crash of the other A310 (S2-ADE) at Dubai.

3. Biman currently own 3 F-28s (S2-ACV/W/Y) of which I think just one or maybe two are airworthy. As for how many regional/intl routes Biman is currently serving, I don't think the airline itself knows it for sure. They're living one day at a time right now, doing whatever flights possible to save as much of their own asses as possible.

4. Biman doesn't have any 747s right now but I'm told they're on a lookout for a couple. The B747 Biman used for the last Hajj season (TF-AMK) is the one that has been leased to GMG from 1st February upon its lease expiry with Biman on 31st January.

GMG has 1 Dash-8-100 (S2-AAA) and 2 Dash-8-300 including one Q300 (S2-ACT/ADX). S2-AAA is at the hangar right now awaiting a C-Check. Of the 2 MD-80s that were leased from Lion Air (S2-ADM/O) I think one has been sent back to the lessor, while the airline is awaiting 3 more to come sometime this year. It also has a B737-800 from flyglobespan which is supposed to be returned as well, and they have the B747-300 from Air Atlanta Icelandic (TF-AMK) with which they started the DAC-DXB flights. The airline is awaiting another B747-300 (TF-AMJ) in April, and 2 B767-300s sometime this year (probably to come from Flyglobespan or Euro Atlantic Airways).

I can't guarantee the accuracy of the information mentioned above but this is as much as I can recall off my mind right now.

From solomon97's link
credit to Akbar A. Sattar

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj50/amar11372/747.jpg

Creative arts department? At Biman??

How much did you have to drink tonite, Sir???

O come on, can't we daydream? I think Biman operates several A380s, DAC-DTW non-stop! :hahaha:

From solomon97's link
credit to Akbar A. Sattar

Nice! This is first 747 for Bangladeshi airline right? Or does Biman have any?

Nice! This is first 747 for Bangladeshi airline right? Or does Biman have any?

Imran wrote it in his posts. Biman had 747 for Hajj flights but now GMG has it. And didn't Biman use to fly 747 a while back?

Imran wrote it in his posts. Biman had 747 for Hajj flights but now GMG has it. And didn't Biman use to fly 747 a while back?

A 747 has never been part of Biman's fleet. They may have chartered/wet leased on temporary basis but none of their cockpit crew ever flew one (for Biman). One of the argument against 747 purchase back in the days when to chose to go CD-10 route, that it wouldn't cost effective. I used to know one Captain Taher (used to be our (my parents) tenant).

Heres the link for the first photo about the GMG 747-300 TF-AMK

http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=01288718&size=large.[/COLOR]


Enjoy it. :banana:

I have been looking for a photo of this aircraft for a while now. Thanks Solomon!

One of the argument against 747 purchase back in the days when to chose to go CD-10 route, that it wouldn't cost effective.

At the point of time (early 80s) when Biman took the DC-10s, they were probably the best choice for the airline indeed! The ones from SQ came at great prices, and though the one bought from McDD had a price topping for Ershad, the aircraft still added important capacity to the airline. In the early 80s, the B747 would've been "too much" of an aircraft for Biman, while the A300, for example, would've been "too little" of an aircraft. The DC-10 was just perfect at the time when they came.

The mistake Biman made is not having replaced the DC-10s by mid-90s. When McDD went into the trouble with the MD-11, I know they strongly pursued BG to replace their DC-10s with MD-11s and had offered rock-bottom prices, which I think Biman should've taken right away. While the MD-11 programme sent McDD packing (due to the order cancellations after the primary batch of planes failed to meet the guaranteed performance), it would've taken Biman to a state of advancement from where they could afford to wait "comfortably" till now to order for new planes with Boeing/Airbus. Instead, since the DC-10s weren't replaced, Biman's operational efficiency went down the drain, and is the reason why it is so "desperate" now to find new airplanes to lease and buy to help it survive.

:2cents:

Same location different angle GMG 747
Credits to Akbar A. Sattar

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj50/amar11372/7477.jpg?t=1203748055

By the way I contacted Mr. Sattar, he agreed to post more pics in myaviation.net and will try to post pics right here in our little Bangladesh subforum. :)

By the way I contacted Mr. Sattar, he agreed to post more pics in myaviation.net and will try to post pics right here in our little Bangladesh subforum. :)

Great to hear! When I see great photographers at other sites I sometimes think of inviting them here. However the one time I tried it, I was unsuccessful...the guy actually replied and said he would join but then didn't.

Same location different angle GMG 747
Credits to Akbar A. Sattar

By the way I contacted Mr. Sattar, he agreed to post more pics in myaviation.net and will try to post pics right here in our little Bangladesh subforum. :)

I hope he has taken some photos of the plane's port side while it stood pushed back like that. As can be seen in the photos where the angle is on the starboard side, the port side of the 747 was lit up by the sun in the west (the MD-80 behind the 747 in the 2nd shot is literally glowing from the sun on its port side too). Nothing like the light of the winter sun on an airplane...and the Jumbo must've been looking gorgeous!

At the point of time (early 80s) when Biman took the DC-10s, they were probably the best choice for the airline indeed! The ones from SQ came at great prices, and though the one bought from McDD had a price topping for Ershad, the aircraft still added important capacity to the airline. In the early 80s, the B747 would've been "too much" of an aircraft for Biman, while the A300, for example, would've been "too little" of an aircraft. The DC-10 was just perfect at the time when they came.

The mistake Biman made is not having replaced the DC-10s by mid-90s. When McDD went into the trouble with the MD-11, I know they strongly pursued BG to replace their DC-10s with MD-11s and had offered rock-bottom prices, which I think Biman should've taken right away. While the MD-11 programme sent McDD packing (due to the order cancellations after the primary batch of planes failed to meet the guaranteed performance), it would've taken Biman to a state of advancement from where they could afford to wait "comfortably" till now to order for new planes with Boeing/Airbus. Instead, since the DC-10s weren't replaced, Biman's operational efficiency went down the drain, and is the reason why it is so "desperate" now to find new airplanes to lease and buy to help it survive.

:2cents:

Sorry for my poor composition (I must've been sleepy). Having said that, you are right on the money!

Do you know whether the influence of corrupt people was (is) so overwhelming for Biman that they could not do anything on their own? In the early days, all Biman had was a whole bunch of seasoned PIA staff but no equipment. If I compare PIA with Biman, they appear to be same, yet they have managed to upgrade their fleet, routinely, even though they fell behind, sometimes. But then so did, AI.

PIA and AI had their local homegrown talent still working for them mostly -- while ours went overseas. As Imran Bhai can attest to (and I've known from looking at the 'quality' of their employees) -- most of our leftover Biman 'talent' running it is of the 'Abujor Gifari College' variety or worse (sorry to say). What is one to expect at the salary they pay?? You can't expect analysis and long-term vision from these people. I don't see North South University graduates rushing to Biman jobs.

Let's look at SQ (my favorite airline --though a little tarnished lately).

SQ, the Singapore Ports Authority and their financial institutions (banks) are the three pillars of Singapore's success (all govt. companies except the banks). They're the reasons for Singapore's first-world status today and the most brilliant of their talent go to work for these companies, especially for SQ. I won't go into details about the internal planning at SQ -- I'm sure Imran Bhai knows far more and can enlighten you.

But yes -- you do need talent and you need to pay them well to keep them. The extra pay saves you far more in adjunctive costs in the millions -- just look at Biman.

Sorry for my poor composition (I must've been sleepy). Having said that, you are right on the money!

Do you know whether the influence of corrupt people was (is) so overwhelming for Biman that they could not do anything on their own? In the early days, all Biman had was a whole bunch of seasoned PIA staff but no equipment. If I compare PIA with Biman, they appear to be same, yet they have managed to upgrade their fleet, routinely, even though they fell behind, sometimes. But then so did, AI.

This is how I put it: For at least the last 20-odd years, Biman has been no one's child but everyone's milking cow...if you know what I mean! Ershad actually did Biman its biggest favour ever by bringing in the DC-10s, and then he raped the airline with the BAe ATPs...and that's how it all started...and we all know what followed.

The reason why PIA, despite the odds, managed to renew its fleet is largely because of the overall US policy on Pakistan (and well, India!). As for Air India, its turnaround was triggered by the liberalized skies and had a greater impact than the US policy on India which also was a strong factor. The fact that AI went Boeing's way is not entirely to the credit of the US policies, but more because AI squeezed both Airbus and Boeing real hard and managed to get the best-fit deal out for themselves. Airbus was pissed, for they expected that since HAL is a strong partner of Airbus, the AI deal would be tilted their way from the onset. Sadly for Airbus though, that wasn't enough. With Boeing agreeing to invest in the mx facility at Nagpur, the long-fought AI deal went to the folks at Chicago rather than the ones at Toulouse and is just another example of why I admire Indian diplomacy, as selfish and self-centred as it is!

PIA and AI had their local homegrown talent still working for them mostly -- while ours went overseas. As Imran Bhai can attest to (and I've known from looking at the 'quality' of their employees) -- most of our leftover Biman 'talent' running it is of the 'Abujor Gifari College' variety or worse (sorry to say). What is one to expect at the salary they pay??

SQ, the Singapore Ports Authority and their financial institutions (banks) are the three pillars of Singapore's success (all govt. companies except the banks). They're the reasons for Singapore's first-world status today and the most brilliant of their talent go to work for these companies, especially for SQ. I won't go into details about the internal planning at SQ -- I'm sure Imran Bhai knows far more and can enlighten you.

But yes -- you do need talent and you need to pay them well to keep them. The extra pay saves you far more in adjunctive costs in the millions -- just look at Biman.

Two issues to address in brief:

Salary at Biman: Like the saying goes, "you get monkeys for peanuts"!

SQ's success: Without taking anything away from the great and professional bunch of people the Singaporeans are (as well as in SQ itself, which is also my favourite airline), I think one another HUGE reason for SQ's success is the tax (and related) laws in Singapore. There ain't too many countries in the world which will allow you to legally depreciate expensive capital equipment as aircraft in well under 10 years...a prime reason to SQ's fame for having one of the youngest fleet in the world!

double post

Imran Bhai -- found this book for us 'lay newbies' on aircraft financing,

aircraft financing (http://books.google.com/books?id=JHWHAiwayPQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=aircraft+financing&sig=OUTglJPQML2QCsbZtpnDeAjhZiE)

PIA and AI had their local homegrown talent still working for them mostly -- while ours went overseas. As Imran Bhai can attest to (and I've known from looking at the 'quality' of their employees) -- most of our leftover Biman 'talent' running it is of the 'Abujor Gifari College' variety or worse (sorry to say). What is one to expect at the salary they pay?? You can't expect analysis and long-term vision from these people. I don't see North South University graduates rushing to Biman jobs.

Let's look at SQ (my favorite airline --though a little tarnished lately).

SQ, the Singapore Ports Authority and their financial institutions (banks) are the three pillars of Singapore's success (all govt. companies except the banks). They're the reasons for Singapore's first-world status today and the most brilliant of their talent go to work for these companies, especially for SQ. I won't go into details about the internal planning at SQ -- I'm sure Imran Bhai knows far more and can enlighten you.

But yes -- you do need talent and you need to pay them well to keep them. The extra pay saves you far more in adjunctive costs in the millions -- just look at Biman.

Sure sure about that? Where did all the "talent" go (to)? I thought the government had a separate/special pay structure for Biman which I thought was much higher than other sectors of the government? Back in the 70s/80s, the flight crews appeared to do well. To give you an example, Capt. Taher, because he eascaped from Karachi (with his family), he practically had nothing in the house when he rented our second floor (my parents house). I used to visit him upstairs often, as I was a grade school kid and because of my fasination with planes. He told me many stories. Anyway, to make the point, he practically had nothing in the house. The whole house was bare except for a bed, and some chairs. His kids used to sleep on the floor. As soon as he began flying overseas, say within six months to a year, he had the whole house furnished, something an average government employee would takes years! I don't think he was involved in any illegal activities. He was also very dedicated to Biman. He didn't like it when some of his friends left and joined SIA, Asiana, and some ME airlines.

As an aside, what makes NSU graduates such hot commodities (if I can put it that way)?

Dhaka Zia International Airport

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakaairport133.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakaairport162.jpg

This is how I put it: For at least the last 20-odd years, Biman has been no one's child but everyone's milking cow...if you know what I mean! Ershad actually did Biman its biggest favour ever by bringing in the DC-10s, and then he raped the airline with the BAe ATPs...and that's how it all started...and we all know what followed.

The reason why PIA, despite the odds, managed to renew its fleet is largely because of the overall US policy on Pakistan (and well, India!). As for Air India, its turnaround was triggered by the liberalized skies and had a greater impact than the US policy on India which also was a strong factor. The fact that AI went Boeing's way is not entirely to the credit of the US policies, but more because AI squeezed both Airbus and Boeing real hard and managed to get the best-fit deal out for themselves. Airbus was pissed, for they expected that since HAL is a strong partner of Airbus, the AI deal would be tilted their way from the onset. Sadly for Airbus though, that wasn't enough. With Boeing agreeing to invest in the mx facility at Nagpur, the long-fought AI deal went to the folks at Chicago rather than the ones at Toulouse and is just another example of why I admire Indian diplomacy, as selfish and self-centred as it is!

Okay, so both AI and PK have favorable "dadas" in the US, but what about some other carriers that are doing "OK" if not well, like some African airlines, Eithiopian, Kenya? And what about SriLankan, they appeared to do well, under the tutelege of EK, until the LTTE struck again and messed things up in Sri Lanka, in recent times.

To my mind three things are needed to successfully run a state owned airlines, these days and they are: patroitism, professionalism, and talent. I include patroitism because that is in lieu of higher pay.

Okay, so both AI and PK have favorable "dadas" in the US, but what about some other carriers that are doing "OK" if not well, like some African airlines, Eithiopian, Kenya? And what about SriLankan, they appeared to do well, under the tutelege of EK, until the LTTE struck again and messed things up in Sri Lanka, in recent times.

To my mind three things are needed to successfully run a state owned airlines, these days and they are: patroitism, professionalism, and talent. I include patroitism because that is in lieu of higher pay.

Ethiopian Airlines, from what I know, doesn't get "fingered" by the government and is now one of the best managed airline in continental Africa, probably only second to SAA.

Kenya Airways was in shambles until KLM took up the stakes in the airline. Although KLM owns just about 24% of the airline, the management is at their discretion and NOT with the Kenyans.

Sri Lankan Airlines is poised to go down the gutters, thanks to the country's PM.

As for payment at Biman, the cockpit crews and engineers are pretty well paid. Its the executive officers, who essentially manage and run the airline, who are paid the nuts. The MD/CEO of Biman gets under US$ 400 a month...now, do you catch my drift? :)

@TIslam:

As an aside, what makes NSU graduates such hot commodities (if I can put it that way)?

Although this is off-topic -- I'll reply. but if you want to discuss this further let's move this to Adda section (Thanks TMAC).

The average NSU B.Sc. Graduate earns about Tk. 100,000/Month (USD 1500/month) and Masters Graduates start at Tk. 150,000 (USD 2000+) per month in Bangladesh -- this is simply demand and supply. An NSU degree is the equivalent of a USA degree because of US accredition and because the curriculum and textbooks are US standard as well.

The faculty are all US-educated and trained (most of them have teaching experience at Ivy-league schools or top UK Universities in either the US or UK). The tuition fees are pretty high for this reason.

NSU's technical (engg.) programs are good but the business program (both undergraduate and graduate) is much stronger. NSU is the equivalent of the Indian IIM's in Bangladesh.

It is natural to expect NSU graduates to do well in the workplace and they do. That's why they demand and receive top-drawer salaries.

Ethiopian Airlines, from what I know, doesn't get "fingered" by the government and is now one of the best managed airline in continental Africa, probably only second to SAA.

Kenya Airways was in shambles until KLM took up the stakes in the airline. Although KLM owns just about 24% of the airline, the management is at their discretion and NOT with the Kenyans.

Sri Lankan Airlines is poised to go down the gutters, thanks to the country's PM.

As for payment at Biman, the cockpit crews and engineers are pretty well paid. Its the executive officers, who essentially manage and run the airline, who are paid the nuts. The MD/CEO of Biman gets under US$ 400 a month...now, do you catch my drift? :)

As long as the CEO Biman is a Bangladesh government civil servant, I cannot support a separate and reasonably well compensation package. So, first the government should stop appointing its employees to Biman and then try to hire aviation experts (you interested?) or people with proven track records from the business sector.

Doesn't this two (or multi) tier salary structure create a lot of resentment among the (general) Biman employees? Or is it par for the course in that part of the world?

@TIslam:
Although this is off-topic -- I'll reply. but if you want to discuss this further let's move this to Adda section (Thanks TMAC).


Yeah, let's do that. How do we move it there?

Are you talking about the B.SC in Engineering?.. if so, then you are grossly mistaken.. There are very few graduates from NSU working in a highly paid jobs in Bangladesh. They arent that good enough. they lack labs. Engineering without labs are simply fish without water. They are awful Engineers. I was surprised once one of my nephew studing in 2nd year of B.Sc Electrical Engg simply failed to know what is electrical powers. He surprised me more when he could not tell me what is reactive loads? I was shocked.

From job market position in Bangladesh, Buet is leading along with IUT, AUST, EastWest and three BIT's ( Now CUE, KUET an RUET). NSU doesnt come even close to even the least.

Yeah, let's do that. How do we move it there?

I believe this is done by the Mod(s). That's TMAC's deal I think...

Are you talking about the B.SC in Engineering?.. if so, then you are grossly mistaken.. There are very few graduates from NSU working in a highly paid jobs in Bangladesh. They arent that good enough. they lack labs. Engineering without labs are simply fish without water. They are awful Engineers. I was surprised once one of my nephew studing in 2nd year of B.Sc Electrical Engg simply failed to know what is electrical powers. He surprised me more when he could not tell me what is reactive loads? I was shocked.

From job market position in Bangladesh, Buet is leading along with IUT, AUST, EastWest and three BIT's ( Now CUE, KUET an RUET). NSU doesnt come even close to even the least.

I did say (please read my post above) that the Engg. program is not that strong. And it also depends on the student in question. You have to make sure that the son/daughter have the 'Ghiloo' while daddy has money...

I was surprised once one of my nephew studing in 2nd year of B.Sc Electrical Engg simply failed to know what is electrical powers. He surprised me more when he could not tell me what is reactive loads? I was shocked.

Figuratively speaking, I think he did pretty well to give you a "shock" without even knowing what electrical power is! Sorry for being off-topic, but couldn't resist!!
:rofl:

As long as the CEO Biman is a Bangladesh government civil servant, I cannot support a separate and reasonably well compensation package. So, first the government should stop appointing its employees to Biman and then try to hire aviation experts (you interested?) or people with proven track records from the business sector.

Doesn't this two (or multi) tier salary structure create a lot of resentment among the (general) Biman employees? Or is it par for the course in that part of the world?

Well, I think rather than using World Bank's money for such ill-planned things as the VRS (which is coming back at Biman like a boomerang), it could've rather used WB money to pay a decent sum of money for worthy executives. I think that's sort of what WB did with WASA when it appointed deputy directors there some years back.

I've told many times earlier, the proper cure for Biman would be to have it privatized. Staying under government ownership, all recovery/improvement measures would be just like first-aid. Privatization is the only thing that can help Biman survive in the long run.

As for employee resentment, I'm sure it prevails. And that's why you have compromises...of Biman having to do with sub-standard people who'd accept the low-pay...of some good people at Biman who feel demotivated and just live by the day without being willing to take up challenges and be proactive.

Imran Bhai -- found this book for us 'lay newbies' on aircraft financing,

aircraft financing (http://books.google.com/books?id=JHWHAiwayPQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=aircraft+financing&sig=OUTglJPQML2QCsbZtpnDeAjhZiE)

Aircraft financing, now I can form my own airline to compete against Biman. :banana:

Imran Bhai -- found this book for us 'lay newbies' on aircraft financing,

aircraft financing (http://books.google.com/books?id=JHWHAiwayPQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=aircraft+financing&sig=OUTglJPQML2QCsbZtpnDeAjhZiE)

In developing countries, especially where the legal system is very weak, like Bangladesh, international aircraft financing is either very costly or hard to come by at all.

If Bangladeshi airlines (Biman as well as private operators) are to access competitive credit funding for aircraft procurement, ratification to the Cape Town Convention and the Aircraft Protocol is a 'MUST DO' TASK for the GoB.

Aircraft financing, now I can form my own airline to compete against Biman. :banana:

On a serious note, for EVERYONE who dreams of running an airline, or just enjoy fantasizing it, and are intrigued by the way commercial airlines operate successfully at the envy of the others, I have a prescription of 2 books which are 'must reads':

1. "From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback", by Gordon Bethune
New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1998
ISBN-10: 0471248355
ISBN-13: 978-0471248354

2. "Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success", by Kevin Freiberg and Jackie Freiberg
Austin: Bard Press, 1996
ISBN-10: 1885167180
ISBN-13: 978-1885167187

Gordon Bethune is the biggest idol of mine. Continental's turnaround in the 90s was one of the most dramatic business turnaround ever and Mr. Bethune became the iconic airline CEO for what he did for the airline that was the worst in the US when he took over.

Southwest Airlines in one airline I strongly admire, for it delivers a great 'value' product to its customers and is managed impeccably well. The "big momma" for all LCC's around the world today, they had defied conventions and have set a standard by themselves that is admired by millions of customers, and more importantly, by its own employees...thanks to the innovative and visionary CEO of the airline Mr. Herb Kelleher.

Trust me, it'll be worth every cent you'd spend on these, and anyone not thinking so, feel free to bill me!

Gordon Bethune is the biggest idol of mine.

Mine too Imran Bhai! I need to go pick up that first book you mentioned.

Last I heard he was on the Board of Directors at Aloha. He's getting up there in age though.

Well, I think rather than using World Bank's money for such ill-planned things as the VRS (which is coming back at Biman like a boomerang), it could've rather used WB money to pay a decent sum of money for worthy executives. I think that's sort of what WB did with WASA when it appointed deputy directors there some years back.

I've told many times earlier, the proper cure for Biman would be to have it privatized. Staying under government ownership, all recovery/improvement measures would be just like first-aid. Privatization is the only thing that can help Biman survive in the long run.

As for employee resentment, I'm sure it prevails. And that's why you have compromises...of Biman having to do with sub-standard people who'd accept the low-pay...of some good people at Biman who feel demotivated and just live by the day without being willing to take up challenges and be proactive.

VRS?

Well the GOB isn't going to give up the ownership of Biman anytime soon and once political government gets back in, the prospect of privatization would be dim. All I can hope that the present government gives a nod to i) Capetown Agreement, and ii) Boeings offer to Biman.

VRS?

Well the GOB isn't going to give up the ownership of Biman anytime soon and once political government gets back in, the prospect of privatization would be dim. All I can hope that the present government gives a nod to i) Capetown Agreement, and ii) Boeings offer to Biman.

VRS: Voluntary Retirement Scheme, through which Biman laid-off some 1,800 people last year, funded by the World Bank, and is now coming back at Biman like a boomerang. I had written in my articles back when it was being executed that the whole thing was ill-planned from the onset.

The present government will ratify the Cape Town Convention & Aircraft Protocol and will place the order with Boeing, as I stated here earlier on 8th Feb (Post # 862).

I also expect that the privatization process of Biman would at least get rolling, if not completed, before the 2008 national elections.

I also expect that the privatization process of Biman would at least get rolling, if not completed, before the 2008 national elections.

That would be a dream come true.

I also expect that the privatization process of Biman would at least get rolling, if not completed, before the 2008 national elections.

Biman should NOT be privatize anytime soon. Biman has unbearable liabilities. If the govt were to sell a 49% stake in Biman, the govt wont get anything (relatively speaking). Biman needs to be profitable of a number of years consistently before the govt gets better pricing for Biman. I would rather want the govt give up the management of Biman to competent operator such as SQ, Emirates or any others who are interested.

.....But than again, the CA Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed is a trained academic scholar and not a bureaucrat trained under World Bank. so don't know what to expect.

I think Biman has a job for you, Imran.

http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#11

:uh: Why does United Airways show up as Albatross and BestAir as Keenair Charter? Anybody?

Biman should NOT be privatize anytime soon. Biman has unbearable liabilities. If the govt were to sell a 49% stake in Biman, the govt wont get anything (relatively speaking). Biman needs to be profitable of a number of years consistently before the govt gets better pricing for Biman. I would rather want the govt give up the management of Biman to competent operator such as SQ, Emirates or any others who are interested.

- Biman's most 'unbearable' liability has already been taken care of as the airline became a PLC from its earlier status as a Corporation. It was the due fuel bills amounting to about BDT 1,500 crore, and the government 'absorbed' it as Biman was turned into PLC. Without this one, there isn't any 'unbearable' liability anymore for Biman.

- By privatization I mean AT LEAST 51% of the shares to be given off, through a bid, to any eligible operator. Another option could be to let the shares out in the capital market. In 2000, the move made by the government was to sell only 40% of the shares of Biman, therefore the government witholding the management control, and was the reason why it didn't find any buyer. I am pretty optimistic that if 51% or more of the shares are offered on sale with a revised authorised capital, Biman would have at least half a dozen very good buyers to bid for the shares.

- As for appointing an 'operator' like SQ or EK, it'd be useless (and potentially harmful in the long-run) to allow Biman to be just 'operated' by such airlines WITHOUT ANY STAKEHOLDING at Biman. The chances of that bringing any good for Biman, in my opinion, is zero.

And then there are 2 realities you must realize, and then accept the fact that we can't have a picture-perfect solution for Biman's recovery and trasition into privatization:

1. Biman will NEVER be sustainably profitable under government ownership (political or otherwise).

2. Political governments will be LEAST LIKELY TO TAKE ANY HONEST ACTION EVER to privatize Biman, and will continue to use it as their cash-cow through raging corruption and loot public money endlessly in the name of the airline.

Like I said, its now or never!

I think Biman has a job for you, Imran.

http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#11

Well, I knew the Board was being recast but the published composition has disappointed me.

The best 2 inclusions, in my opinion, are that of the Director of IBA and Mr. Wali Bhuiyan.

On the other hand, there are 2 equally terrible inclusions (I'm refraining from mentioning names here). The first would suffer from a severe conflict of interest, and the second would send a wrong signal to the way things are being handled.

As for me fancying a job there at Biman, I'm not quite interested!

- Biman's most 'unbearable' liability has already been taken care of as the airline became a PLC from its earlier status as a Corporation. It was the due fuel bills amounting to about BDT 1,500 crore, and the government 'absorbed' it as Biman was turned into PLC. Without this one, there isn't any 'unbearable' liability anymore for Biman.

- By privatization I mean AT LEAST 51% of the shares to be given off, through a bid, to any eligible operator. Another option could be to let the shares out in the capital market. In 2000, the move made by the government was to sell only 40% of the shares of Biman, therefore the government witholding the management control, and was the reason why it didn't find any buyer. I am pretty optimistic that if 51% or more of the shares are offered on sale with a revised authorised capital, Biman would have at least half a dozen very good buyers to bid for the shares.

- As for appointing an 'operator' like SQ or EK, it'd be useless (and potentially harmful in the long-run) to allow Biman to be just 'operated' by such airlines WITHOUT ANY STAKEHOLDING at Biman. The chances of that bringing any good for Biman, in my opinion, is zero.

Makes sense. It would be like asking the fox to guard the hen house. If the government makes the effort (through consultants etc.), I'm sure enough talented professionals could be found without and within, to make Biman run better.

- Biman's most 'unbearable' liability has already been taken care of as the airline became a PLC from its earlier status as a Corporation. It was the due fuel bills amounting to about BDT 1,500 crore, and the government 'absorbed' it as Biman was turned into PLC. Without this one, there isn't any 'unbearable' liability anymore for Biman.

- By privatization I mean AT LEAST 51% of the shares to be given off, through a bid, to any eligible operator. Another option could be to let the shares out in the capital market. In 2000, the move made by the government was to sell only 40% of the shares of Biman, therefore the government witholding the management control, and was the reason why it didn't find any buyer. I am pretty optimistic that if 51% or more of the shares are offered on sale with a revised authorised capital, Biman would have at least half a dozen very good buyers to bid for the shares.

- As for appointing an 'operator' like SQ or EK, it'd be useless (and potentially harmful in the long-run) to allow Biman to be just 'operated' by such airlines WITHOUT ANY STAKEHOLDING at Biman. The chances of that bringing any good for Biman, in my opinion, is zero.

And then there are 2 realities you must realize, and then accept the fact that we can't have a picture-perfect solution for Biman's recovery and trasition into privatization:

1. Biman will NEVER be sustainably profitable under government ownership (political or otherwise)

2. Political governments will be LEAST LIKELY TO TAKE ANY HONEST ACTION EVER to privatize Biman, and will continue to use it as their cash-cow through raging corruption and loot public money endlessly in the name of the airline.

Like I said, its now or never!

I doubt that even this govt will fully privatize Biman (over 51%) and relinquish its control. I think its more reasonable to think that before a political govt comes in the Caretaker govt will semi-privatize it. And if they do the latter, the capital markets will not be able to absorb the listing (assuming govt offload 49%) and thus may partner with another operator.

I doubt that even this govt will fully privatize Biman (over 51%) and relinquish its control. I think its more reasonable to think that before a political govt comes in the Caretaker govt will semi-privatize it. And if they do the latter, the capital markets will not be able to absorb the listing (assuming govt offload 49%) and thus may partner with another operator.

If the current government gets the ball of privatization rolling for Biman, it will do so with 51% shares or more. It'd be a waste of time and money to do any less than that. Like I said, the management/operation of the airline should be decided by the owners (shareholders) of at least 51% of the airline...not one without the other.

Never mind -- already discussed :-)

The new board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd will soon decide on buying new aircraft and reorganising its routes to make the national flag carrier a profitable venture.

"We want to turn Biman self dependent and a company with excellent management," Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to chief adviser on civil aviation and tourism and head of Biman board of directors, told reporters yesterday.

He was speaking at a press conference at his industries ministry office in Motijheel on the development activities of Biman. It was his first press conference after the business leader was appointed special assistant to the chief adviser on January 21.

He said the previous Biman board failed to gather pace in their work as some of the board members who were also secretaries could not pay due attention to it as they were busy with their ministries concerned.

Mahbub Jamil vowed that no staff and officials of Biman will be spared if they are involved with corruption and irregularities.

New aircraft are a must to shape up the Biman fleet and to make it financially solvent, he said, adding, "After standing on a strong base, we will think about profit."

He said, "The Biman board of directors will decide soon on buying aircraft after getting report from the fleet committee."

On routes, he said, "We will not operate flights on prestigious but unprofitable routes like France."

Mahbub said there is no need for further layoffs in Biman since men-equipment ratio will become reasonable after the new planes are procured.

Mahbub hailed the bilateral air service agreement with India signed on February 13.

About punitive actions against Biman's corrupt officials who have already left, Mahbub said the anti-corruption taskforce will look into it.

The caretaker government on Sunday reconstituted the Biman board of directors appointing Mahbub Jamil as its head.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=25027

Are you talking about the B.SC in Engineering?.. if so, then you are grossly mistaken.. There are very few graduates from NSU working in a highly paid jobs in Bangladesh. They arent that good enough. they lack labs. Engineering without labs are simply fish without water. They are awful Engineers. I was surprised once one of my nephew studing in 2nd year of B.Sc Electrical Engg simply failed to know what is electrical powers. He surprised me more when he could not tell me what is reactive loads? I was shocked.

From job market position in Bangladesh, Buet is leading along with IUT, AUST, EastWest and three BIT's ( Now CUE, KUET an RUET). NSU doesnt come even close to even the least.

Are you kiddin me? Who gave you all those sh*tinfo? no offence, i'm just pissed off with the inaccuracy of your words.. ther is no BSc EE in NSU. They don't open up a new faculty/dept/major unless they've got adequate & highly experienced staffs n profs to support it. NSU is gud in as much depts it has at the moment (ther are faculty members who taught in MIT, Purdue etc; not jokin dude) EWU & BRAC aint WORTH the MONEY, but if you're studyin on full scholarship then they're pretty much worth it! BUET is really gud no doubt, but it's quality has beeen gettin down lately (i know cuz i'm a student there)... AUST, CUE, KUET and RUET (4get IUT, my friends are havin miserable tym with inexperienced lecturers many of whom are from IUT itself) 've got really talented students in there, but at the risk of hurtin fellow forumers who study there, i'd say they've got nothin else. The teachers are irregular in the classes, some give marks as they wish and the labs are filled with antiques (mostly). Hope the present gov takes steps to bring these public unis back to their old glory with far-sighted plans and finance, and makes provision on reasearch grants to pvt unis as well to reward those that contribute to the advancement of science n eng research sector of the country.


PS: Sorry for gettin off-topic. Reply, if necessary, in a new thread. xD

Are you kiddin me? Who gave you all those sh*tinfo? no offence, i'm just pissed off with the inaccuracy of your words.. ther is no BSc EE in NSU. They don't open up a new faculty/dept/major unless they've got adequate & highly experienced staffs n profs to support it. NSU is gud in as much depts it has at the moment (ther are faculty members who taught in MIT, Purdue etc; not jokin dude) EWU & BRAC aint WORTH the MONEY, but if you're studyin on full scholarship then they're pretty much worth it! BUET is really gud no doubt, but it's quality has beeen gettin down lately (i know cuz i'm a student there)... AUST, CUE, KUET and RUET (4get IUT, my friends are havin miserable tym with inexperienced lecturers many of whom are from IUT itself) 've got really talented students in there, but at the risk of hurtin fellow forumers who study there, i'd say they've got nothin else. The teachers are irregular in the classes, some give marks as they wish and the labs are filled with antiques (mostly). Hope the present gov takes steps to bring these public unis back to their old glory with far-sighted plans and finance, and makes provision on reasearch grants to pvt unis as well to reward those that contribute to the advancement of science n eng research sector of the country.


PS: Sorry for gettin off-topic. Reply, if necessary, in a new thread. xD

^^I guess you need to brush up your writing skills, before proclaiming as a proud student of NSU.

Anyways, back on topic:

Public, private airlines lock horns over deal with India
Rashidul Hasan

A deep rift has emerged between the country's public and private airlines over the new Indo-Bangla air services deal that allows more flights between the countries, but which Bangladeshi flag carrier Biman fears will undermine its long haul routes.

Hailing the agreement, which was signed in Delhi on February 13, private airlines said the deal offers new business opportunities for Bangladesh's aviation industry.

The pact allows Bangladeshi airlines to operate flights to 18 destinations in India and Indian airline Air India to operate flights from Sylhet for the first time.

Under the deal, the number of weekly flights between Bangladesh and India will be raised to 61 from 30. India also waived a royalty provision. Earlier, Bangladesh Biman had to pay $100 to Air India for carrying a passenger to any third country destination via India.

Biman Bangladesh officials however said the agreement will benefit India, not Bangladesh.

Terming the agreement as unwanted, the officials said India will get more advantages from the agreement as more passengers will be carried through India to Europe and the US.

Biman officials also said the increase in the number of flights will not have a positive impact on Bangladeshi airlines, as the deal was not made on the basis of basic air traffic between the countries.

The number of basic air traffic between Dhaka and Kolkata was about 32,000 passangers in 2007 while the basic traffic between Dhaka and Delhi/Mumbai was about 10,000 in the same year, Biman statistics show.

Biman Managing Director Dr MA Momen said the company had earlier requested Australia and Canada to give permission to operate flights from those countries, but they declined saying there were not enough passangers.

Even Japan turned down the idea of a second weekly flight for Bangladesh giving the same reason, said Momen.

Commenting on the deal, Shahab Sattar, managing director of GMG Airlines, said, "This is one of the best air service agreements." Bangladeshi airlines will get great advantages to operate flights in India, he added.

Terming the agreement as a major breakthrough, Sattar said," Several obstacles to operating flights to India have been removed after the agreement."

"Everything in the agreement is positive for Bangladeshi airlines," said Muhammad Masud Khan Siddique, MD of Anmole Group, proprietor of A2Air, which will go into operations by March.

"Under the agreement we have got opportunities to operate flights to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi or other designated destinations in India,” said Tasdirul Ahmed Chowdhury, MD of United Airways.

"Earlier, Bangladeshi airlines could operate only 26 flights to Kolkata and four to Delhi/Mumbai," he said, adding that now Bangladeshi airlines will be able to operate more flights to Kolkata.

"The increase in flights will offer more opportunities for Bangladesh,” said Farhad Hossein, chief of marketing of Best Air.

A delegation led by Sheikh Altaf Ali, civil aviation and tourism secretary (who has been made OSD later), went to Delhi to sign the agreement with his counterpart on February 9.

Asked about the agreement with India, Ali said India in March 2006 sent the proposal through diplomatic channels and the then government approved the proposal.

"Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), we have removed several obstacles of Bangladeshi airliners to operate their flights in India," he said.

When asked, Mahbub Jamil, chief adviser's special assistant for civil aviation and tourism, said the air service agreement with India will benefit Bangladeshi airlines.

http://thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=24986

Looks like the deal was pretty much sealed by the previous Government. But, surprisingly the current advisors supports this agreement!! <sounds fishy>

Another funny point is Biman approached Canada, Austalia & Japan for more frequency!! Considering their failure to run the current schedule, how can they afford to add new routes? :bash:

Another funny point is Biman approached Canada, Austalia & Japan for more frequency!! Considering their failure to run the current schedule, how can they afford to add new routes? :bash:

Maybe they were planning for the future, for once.

Maybe they were planning for the future, for once.

Yeah right! Biman should keep in mind that a baby has to learn to walk first before s/he can run.

^^I guess you need to brush up your writing skills, before proclaiming as a proud student of NSU.


:soapbox:

I'm relieved to find that I'm not the only one who felt this way. But then, perhaps the young folks in Dhaka feel that using abbreviations, contractions, and slangs, is the "in" thing to do without realizing that the opposite is true. It was difficult to comprehend the message this gentleman was trying to put forth.

ZIA lower level baggage claim area:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1438.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1439.jpg

Upper level
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1848.jpg

ZIA upper level

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1850.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1851.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1852.jpg

ZIA

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1853.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1856.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/greenvillege/Airport/IMG_1857.jpg

Impressive Clearsky...you have been posting pics at a Tmac-ish rate! If these pics are yours...did you go on a flight recently?

Looks like the deal was pretty much sealed by the previous Government. But, surprisingly the current advisors supports this agreement!! <sounds fishy>

Another funny point is Biman approached Canada, Austalia & Japan for more frequency!! Considering their failure to run the current schedule, how can they afford to add new routes? :bash:

I'm quite baffled at the reaction from the private airlines regarding the ASA with India. I can understand GMG's appreciation for the fact that they operate codeshare flights for IC, and since IC and AI are essentially one airline now, Z5 will benefit from the interline traffic that IC/AI would feed them. But I just can't understand the ecstasy from the other private carriers. Getting rights to fly to any destination does not "automatically" ensure feasibility of operation if there isn't enough basic traffic. Time will tell if I'm right on my words, but I think this ASA has not been done to the strengths of Bangladeshi airlines, but rather at the strengths of the Indian ones.

And what do they mean by saying "Biman approached Canada, Australia, and Japan for more frequency"??? Bangladesh doesn't even have any ASA with Canada and Australia at the first place!!!

However, I do believe there's a good reason to try to have ASA's with Canada and Australia - the growing number of Bangladeshis there in these countries in the form of students and expatriates (I'm not sure about Japan, perhaps someone could enlighten me?). Currently most of the pax bound to Canada from DAC are taken by BA, EK, and EY while the ones to Australia are taken by TG, SQ, and MH, and Bangladeshi carriers (especially BG and Z5) would probably do well to have flights to at least YYZ and SYD/MEL once they renew and expand their respective fleets with newer aircraft.

On another note, this Anmole Albab Airlines seems like a "puff of smoke" from looking at their website (www.a2air.net)! Is it only me?

Impressive Clearsky...you have been posting pics at a Tmac-ish rate! If these pics are yours...did you go on a flight recently?

Yes, I just got back from a 3 weeks long vacation there. I mostly stayed in Dhaka; meeting and greeting friends and family members as well as attending invitations.

I have about 250 pics that I think can be posted here. I will try to post most of them, if not all.

Yes, I just got back from a 3 weeks long vacation there. I mostly stayed in Dhaka; meeting and greeting friends and family members as well as attending invitations.

I have about 250 pics that I think can be posted here. I will try to post most of them, if not all.

Nice. Hope you had a great vacation. Cant wait for more pics.

^^I guess you need to brush up your writing skills, before proclaiming as a proud student of NSU.


I was in a sort of hurry, cudn't add additional stuffz to make it clearer for ppl lyk you. Anyways, ther's nothing to booost 'bout your writing skills - poor sentence structures and primary school grammatical mistakes ("advisors supports"?:lol:) You cud at least advice yourself to brush up your reading skills cuz you failed to notice that:

- I'm not an NSU student. I'm @ BUET.

- I told you to reply in a new thread.

Will it be too hard to sign ASA between USA & BD? Can/Will Boeing help in this matter?

Will it be too hard to sign ASA between USA & BD? Can/Will Boeing help in this matter?

There is an ASA between BD and USA. Biman had flights to JFK which were run at a great loss. However, they may have lost the slot at JFK now since the route was cancelled last year. I'm sure Imran bhai will enlighten us.

Will it be too hard to sign ASA between USA & BD? Can/Will Boeing help in this matter?

From the record Biman has put up with its services to JFK in the past, it certainly won't be easy! Moreover, if an ASA is pursued by Bangladesh now, slots at the requested points may not be available. JFK, I think, is topped up already and IAD can't be having much room either and if none of these 2 are available the next best choice would probably be EWR (or maybe even ahead of IAD).

Boeing technically can't help Bangladesh to get an ASA done with the US, but it may probably 'influence' in favour of it to an extent (if it wishes to) through its relations with the DoT, FAA, and NTSB.

There is an ASA between BD and USA. Biman had flights to JFK which were run at a great loss. However, they may have lost the slot at JFK now since the route was cancelled last year. I'm sure Imran bhai will enlighten us.

No, Bangladesh never had an ASA with the United States. It had what was called an 'exemption permit' which allowed BG to operate to JFK subject to certain conditions.

Boeing technically can't help Bangladesh to get an ASA done with the US, but it may probably 'influence' in favour of it to an extent (if it wishes to) through its relations with the DoT, FAA, and NTSB.


Heck yes!. If BG does sign on to buy from Boeing, I'm sure they could put in a word for (to renew) the slot at JFK/EWR/IAD. I read an article recently somewhere and it appears something like this happened with Ethiopia and US, because of Ethiopian's fleet renewal with Boeing.

No, Bangladesh never had an ASA with the United States. It had what was called an 'exemption permit' which allowed BG to operate to JFK subject to certain conditions.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification.

Looks like the Biman deal has reached the world press:

Boeing, Airbus compete to sell planes to Bangladesh (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSDHA28638520080226)

DHAKA, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Aircraft makers Boeing (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Airbus Co (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) are in the running to supply aircraft to Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited, Biman officials said on Tuesday.

They said Biman has received separate offers from Boeing and Airbus to sell the national carrier a dozen aircraft in total.

Boeing has offered to supply eight airplanes and Airbus four.

"We will evaluate both the offers soon and will make a decision, as we badly need aircraft to maintain flight schedules," Biman's Managing Director M. A. Moman told Reuters.

"The decision will be announced by March 15," he said without giving details.

Biman officials said Boeing had offered to supply four Boeing 777-200's and another four Boeing 787's by 2013 and 2017 respectively, at an approximate average price of $165 million per aircraft.

They said Airbus offered to supply four aircraft from any of the A-320, A-321 and A-330 aircraft models, but did not mention a time-frame.

Airbus prices would be lower than Boeing, another official said without providing details.

A shortage of funds and aircraft forced Biman to stop flights to New York, Paris, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Brussels, Yangon and Mumbai in 2006.

Loss-making Biman, which now flies to 19 international destinations with a fleet of 12 aircraft, has been facing stiff competition from four other small, local private airlines.

One of these carriers has extended its operations beyond the country to include regional routes connecting Bangladesh capital Dhaka to Kuala Lampur, Singapore, Delhi and Dubai.

At least two other airlines want to extend its flights into the South Asian region as Bangladesh and India have recently agreed to increase flight frequencies between the two countries.

(Reporting by Masud Karim, Writing by Nizam Ahmed; Editing by Valerie Lee)

As discussed before -- I hope they get a couple of 777's at least to start with. And 777-300ER's at that.

JFK extended BG's deadline for the first & last time from 24.10.07 to 24.04.08. They did this because Gen. Moin requested the authority when he visited USA few months ago. But I don't think BG can keep the slot despite this favor.

JFK extended BG's deadline for the first & last time from 24.10.07 to 24.04.08. They did this because Gen. Moin requested the authority when he visited USA few months ago. But I don't think BG can keep the slot despite this favor.

Unless of course, Biman signs up with Boeing and they lease them a 777 right away.

Biman officials said Boeing had offered to supply four Boeing 777-200's and another four Boeing 787's by 2013 and 2017 respectively, at an approximate average price of $165 million per aircraft.


Imran, I thought Airline operator gets a 30% discount when they buy from the Aircraft manufacturer. A "average price of $165 million per aircraft" doesn't seem like there is any discount in Boeing's price offering.

The bold portion of this article may be of interest to some people......i don't know whether it is a repost


Solution of fleet problem still not in sight, Biman now in the brink of a new potentially crippling crisis
February 16, 2008
-By Raquib SiddiqiDhaka : Still in deep trouble with old and unreliable fleet, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited is now fast heading towards a new and potentially crippling crisis. If immediate appropriate action is not taken, the airline may soon find itself without supporting skilled manpower-pilots and aeronautical engineers in particular. More than six months ago, Biman was turned into Public Limited Company (PLC) and started a new era with hope to become a dynamic, efficient and profitable airline. But this far except addition of a new word 'Limited' in its name nothing has happened. The heavy burden of core problems are still there and no end in sight.
Faced with uncertain future and lured by highly attractive financial offers from outside, exodus of pilots and aeronautical engineers has begun. Over 30 senior pilots and nearly 100 aeronautical engineers have already left Biman and outflow is continuing. If immediate action to stop this outflow is not taken, the proper operation of the airline will be in danger.
The dearth of pilots and aeronautical engineers in the expanding global aviation market is responsible the exodus. Biman's pilots and engineers have been lured by attractive promises of carriers from Middle East.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited was turned into a PLC on July 23, 2007. A new Board headed by Cabinet Secretary took over the management. The other Directors are Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Secretary, Ministry of Energy; Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. M. A. Momen remained as the Chief Execu-tive Officer (CEO) as well as Managing Director. Group Captain (Retd) Shawkat ul Islam, one of the former Mana-ging Directors of Biman and Chairman of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries were later inducted as Directors.
With the transformation into PLC, finally Biman has become free from unwelcome and abusive interference of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. But with seven ministries owning the airline, it has become sort of no one's baby and as a result there is no sign of improvement of the situation.
With secretaries of the Cabi-net Division, Minis-tries of Energy, Commerce, Finan-ce, Civil Aviation and Foreign Affa-irs as board members things were expected to be different and Biman should have been on right track. But Board members are too preoccupied with the job of their own ministries and hardly enough spare time to pay attention to Biman's multi-facet problems. All the major problems of Biman have remained almost untouched. Moreover, new problems are coming up, but the Board is yet to display concerted effort to tackle these.
Even, the Board has failed make Biman debt free-by writing off all the outstanding debts--which the government promised to do earlier.
Thus, the need to provide Biman adequate modern fleet and professional management and turn it into a reasonably commercially viable entity before its shares are offloaded still remained uncertain.
It may be recalled that the government decided to offload up to 49 per cent of the shares of the airline to the private sector. The Articles of Association say that as the government will continue to hold at least 51 per cent of the shares of the company, it will have the right to nominate and appoint at least 60 per cent of the number of Directors on the Board. With overall situation in Biman is simply deplorable, it is difficult to imagine the time frame of IPO and free it from bureaucratic stranglehold.
Weakest areas
Restructuring of national flag carrier of Bangladesh and equip it with dynamic management, efficient fleet, proper technology and productive manpower was long over due.
Management and fleet are the two vital areas of any airline and efficiency of both greatly contributes to success. But unfortunately, these two areas are the weakest in Biman.
Improvement of both these areas was long overdue. Because of improper management and inadequate and unreliable fleet, Biman is in trouble right from its birth.
The last State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism acknowledged serious short-comings in the management and administration of Biman and said, "Since its birth no professional people has handled the management and administration. The airline has never been run as commercial organisation. This has resulted in severe lack of professionalism and commercial attitude. Activities and attitude of CBAs and their hold on the administration contributed greatly to mismanagement of Biman", he said.
Hire professionals
To improve management quality of Biman, the government took decision to appoint an operator -selected through tender_ to manage the airline. It was specified that the new operator must be a reputed and well-managed airline.
So far, the Board of Directors has not taken any initiative to find and appoint suitable operator for Biman and infuse professionalism in the management.
However, considering the current situation in Biman, it is highly unlikely that some reputed well-managed airline will agree to manage Biman. So, similar to a number of reputed airlines in the region, the Board of Directors should hire airline professionals to manage Biman as well as build up proper manpower. Professionals should be inducted in all the branches of administration-- finance, marketing and operations etc. The earlier this is done it is better for the national airline.
Leaner Biman, but
The decision to downsize manpower of Biman before starting its journey as a PLC has made the airline leaner, but seems to have lost some skilled manpower-already in short supply-- in the process. Nearly 2000 jobs at various levels that were cut under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme, appears to have reduced skill level of the organisation further.
In the absence of infusion of new blood in the form of regular recruitment of young and qualified people in the management cadre, Biman was already an airline without vitality, commitment, vision and drive. Since its birth in 1972, barring insignificantly low exceptions, Biman has failed to recruit proper manpower mainly because of opposition by the unions. This failure has created a vacuum in senior management of the airline.
There is absolute no doubt that a different set of managerial skills and qualities are needed if airlines are to survive in the new environment.
The fleet
It may be noted that growth and replacement are the two main reasons for which airlines acquire aircraft. Biman’s old aircraft are burning more fuel; needing frequent maintenance and overhaul, and breaking down more often, causing flight delays and disruptions. Capacity constraints made Biman downsize its operation-from 26 to 18 destinations.
The replacement of Biman's fleet with adequate number new generation aircraft was urgent. Several attempts in recent past to equip the national flag carrier with adequate number of modern aircraft proved futile due to lack of government support. Even after turning Biman into PLC, the Board of Directors of the airline probably felt no urgency and as such no positive move has yet been taken.
Fresh move
However, in the past few months under the initiative of a non-official member of the board, the Fleet Planning Committee (FPC) is finalising a fleet renewal plan. The recent presentations and offers of Boeing and Airbus were examined and detailed discussions with senior officials were held in formulating the plan. The objective of the plan is to select most suitable aircraft in adequate number, without compromising the greater interest of the airline. Biman's current routes, suspended routes and future expansion as well as financial capability and economic viability were seriously considered before determining the type and number of aircraft.
Boeing B777-200ER is found to be the most suitable aircraft for long-haul routes.
Airbus A330-200 has been found as the most suitable aircraft for mid-haul sector.
For regional and domestic routes Airbus A 319 or A320 or A321 aircraft is found to be suitable.
Judging from current requirement, requirement after re-opening of suspended routes and future expansion, the FPC has determined that Biman needs a fleet 14 aircraft-four B777-200ER, four A-330-2000 and 04 A-319 or A320 or A321 and the two A-310-200 already in the fleet.
At present, there are four DC-10-30 and four F28s, but two F-28s are not in operation. One F-28 is being used by Biman's Training Centre for ground training purpose and the other is being cannibalised for spare parts. The aircraft in operation are to be phased out.
Of the proposed 14 aircraft in the fleet, it is recommended that two aircraft are to be kept as backup.
Lease with option to buy
Considering the huge financial involvement and Biman's current situation, the idea to buy all new aircraft has been abandoned. Instead, it has been recommended to go for long leasing with option to buy nine aircraft-three each in three different categories and buy three aircraft-one each in three different categories-- new from the manufacturers.
The recommendation is to take lease for a period of 10 years with option to buy. The aircraft are to be between age five and 10. The reason to go for used aircraft is involvement of huge investment in case of new aircraft. For example, price of a new B777-200ER is US$165 million. From the same investment, one will get similar three used aircraft, as per market price.
The logic behind recommendation to buy three new aircraft-one each of three categories-is to get modification and improvement from the respective manufacturers. The manufacturers provide this facility only to buyers of new aircraft.It is argued that since delivery of new aircraft will not be possible before 2013, Biman will need to pay only token money at the time of order.
Experts are of the opinion that for financing the purchase of aircraft, the government should sign Cape Town Convention. It will be easier and cheaper to get fund for buying aircraft for signatories to Cape Town Convention.
The Cape Town Convention, which was concluded at an international diplomatic conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2001, establishes a commercially oriented, comprehensive international legal framework to protect security and leasing interests in aircraft equipment. The treaty has been signed by 32 countries, of which five countries already have ratified the treaty. The treaty entered into force on April 1, 2004.
Ex-Im Bank, the official export credit agency of the United States, is in its 70th year of helping finance the sale of US exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance and direct loans. In the past five years, Ex-Im Bank has authorised financing to support the export of more than US$22 billion of US large commercial aircraft.
The FPC is expected to finalise its recommendations on renewal of fleet soon and submit for the consideration of Board by early March.
The Board should realise the importance and urgency of fleet modernisation of Biman and act accordingly. As PLC Biman no longer fall under the government's Public Procure-ment Rule-a procedure not at all suitable for procurement of aircraft. So, the Board will have more freedom to decide and execute the decision.
Meanwhile, the Board must take immediate action to stop outflow of critical manpower from Biman. Otherwise, when Biman will get new fleet, there will be no proper manpower to support efficient operation. At the same time, the Board must take inventory on existing manpower of Biman and determined their actual capability.
It is learnt that Bangladesh Airline Pilot Association (BAPA) has submitted a package. With assurance that if their demands are met, no pilot will leave Biman.
New start
A casual look at the global airline industry will show that almost every notable airlines have planned 'new start" to face increased competitiveness in the market place and renewed commercialism. This new start involves a qualitative move towards enhanced performance standards.
The industry is now moving into a new era of massive change in every field embracing accelerated technological developments, a series of marketing innovations and globalisation of company management. The airline industry will clearly be characterised by dynamic changes and rapid response to customers' ever-changing needs.
At the start of the new era, the national flag carrier must have commitment to keep on growing, have, by means of scientific, in-depth studies, clear thinking, and comprehensive analytical outlook, been able to determine their mission and future vision, and the appropriate strategic planning.
The focus must be on comprehensive changes in essential areas. The programme must be considered an important interim requirement and a starting point for the organisation to become focused and enjoy a stronger position in the world air transportation market.
Quick action needed
The past six months has demonstrated that turning Biman into PLC is not enough to overcome the current crisis and run it efficiently and profitably. Time has come to rethink Biman's business plans and change ways of operations to improve not only profitability but also productivity.
The government which now controls 100 per cent of the share has plan to offer 49 percent to the private sector. One may raise the question as to whom the Board is accountable. It seems none at the present moment. True, it would be governed under the Companies Act; but after all the Board members are government officials. From this point of view it would be better to have some more private sector representatives with commercial background on the Board.
Last but not the least, the Board must work with a definite timeline to clear the debts of the airlines, float shares, take immediate measures to make it operationally efficient, truly competitive, profitable and commercially viable.
Recommendations
1. No one will dispute that government control has constraining effect on the potential development of commercial aviation worldwide. The logic behind providing more freedom to management of Biman is many and varied. I believe the overriding rationale has been rooted in the need for greater commercialism based on competitive principles.
2. In conformity with the global trend, the government must immediately review its policy and float share of Biman for urgently needed infusion of capital to modernise fleet and professional management to run the airline professionally, efficiently and commercially.
There is hardly any doubt that survival and success of airline business depends on a number of key factors. Perhaps, the most important is fitness to do business being correctly equip-ped in terms of management skills, training, marketing strategy, tactics and financial health.
3. Cut-throat competition is domination airline industry of today. Biman is no exception. Even at home, the airline is facing increasing competition from all the foreign carriers operating to and from Bangladesh. With new and modern equipment, better services and contemporary managerial skill, these airlines have gradually created dent in Biman's market share.
The dent is going deeper and it will be difficult for Biman to survive if it fails to halt the declining trend and regain market share substantially. Under the circumstances, Biman has a great task ahead. Both the structure and the management skills must undergo massive change immediately, if it is to meet the challenges ahead and successfully compete with other airlines to survive.
4. Looking at the world around, there should not be any doubt that change is inevitable- corporately and individually-if Biman is to meet the challenge of a world that has become hot bed for cutthroat competition. We are no doubt, living through an era of profound and continuous change. As part of an industry, Biman must realise the urgent necessity to equip itself to suit the current need.

Imran, I thought Airline operator gets a 30% discount when they buy from the Aircraft manufacturer. A "average price of $165 million per aircraft" doesn't seem like there is any discount in Boeing's price offering.

I think they are not supposed to divulge the actual priced offered to Biman.

I think they are not supposed to divulge the actual priced offered to Biman.

Yeah I understand that but from the Reuters' article it said a Biman official said "average price of $165 million per aircraft", so does that mean that in addition to Boeing now the Biman officials are playing with numbers.

Here is a detail and insightful article on recent air agreement with india and its detrimental ramifications.

Under article 58 of constitution on caretaker govt, this interim entity has no legal base or authority of making any such agreement.

http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/fullnews.asp?News_ID=69229&sec=4

Here is a detail and insightful article on recent air agreement with india and its detrimental ramifications.

http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/fullnews.asp?News_ID=69229&sec=4

Wrong. Though I am not in support of the recent amendment of the ASA with India (because of the lack of equilibrium of benefits), many of the information provided in the article, and analyses thereof, are incorrect and misleading.

The article in The Bangladesh Monitor is also quite ill-prepared.

As for the prices of aircraft offered by Boeing/Airbus, Biman and the manufacturers should only quote the list prices of the order value and NOT the actual prices at which they are bought. This is explicitly stated in the offer made by the manufacturers, and if Biman and/or the GoB spills out the actual purchase price, it'd be a breach of contract.

There's a difficulty though, to keep the actual price a secret, when it comes to state-owned airlines. The public, as taxpayers, has the RIGHT to and may DEMAND to know what kind of money is being spent on airplane purchases using their money...and that calls for a public notification by the airline ofr the government.

I'm not sure about the legal affairs, but there must be some way to work this issue out so that everyone's happy!

Wrong. Though I am not in support of the recent amendment of the ASA with India (because of the lack of equilibrium of benefits), many of the information provided in the article, and analyses thereof, are incorrect and misleading.

The article in The Bangladesh Monitor is also quite ill-prepared.

As for the prices of aircraft offered by Boeing/Airbus, Biman and the manufacturers should only quote the list prices of the order value and NOT the actual prices at which they are bought. This is explicitly stated in the offer made by the manufacturers, and if Biman and/or the GoB spills out the actual purchase price, it'd be a breach of contract.

There's a difficulty though, to keep the actual price a secret, when it comes to state-owned airlines. The public, as taxpayers, has the RIGHT to and may DEMAND to know what kind of money is being spent on airplane purchases using their money...and that calls for a public notification by the airline ofr the government.

I'm not sure about the legal affairs, but there must be some way to work this issue out so that everyone's happy!

LOL! I doubt a Biman employee can keep the price a secret. Sooner or later someone will spill the beans. By the way if you somehow happen to know the actual sale price, let me know through a private message (I can keep a secret ;) )

Well in my last post I pasted an article published in Bangladesh Monitor. In a second thought later, I found that may be pasting the whole article was not a good idea. The portion of interest of the article for me was that part where the author has informed that the Fleet Committee of Biman, after examining the proposals of Boeing and Airbus, has finally recommended the following future fleet structure for Biman:

Total No. of aircrafts in the fleet: 14

B777-200ER (for long haul) 4

Airbus 330-200 (medium haul) 4

Airbus 310-300 (from existing fleet) 2

Airbus 319/320/321 (regional and domestic fleet) 4

The fleet committee has also recommended that Biman should take long term lease with the option of purchase of 3 of each new kind of aircrafts (3 B777-200ERs, 3 A330-200s, 3 A319/320/321s) while should purchase one aircraft of each new kind directly from the manufacturer (that is, to buy 1 B777-200ER, 1 A330-200 and 1 A319/320/321 directly from manufacturers). The logic of this single number direct purchase of each type of aircraft is, according to them, to keep open the option of receiving all new updates from the manufacturers, which is only provided to new aircraft buyers.

What you guyz think abt the proposed fleet?

I have another question, considering the whole scenario, can't Biman decide to give up the domestic market as well as some regional routes (kolkata, kathmandu etc. ) permanently to private airlines, and concentrate only on medium and long haul international routes? I think this will help both sides.

A daydream may be, but sweet indeed.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBGNHi4dZKs

Wrong. Though I am not in support of the recent amendment of the ASA with India (because of the lack of equilibrium of benefits), many of the information provided in the article, and analyses thereof, are incorrect and misleading.

The article in The Bangladesh Monitor is also quite ill-prepared.



“lack of equilibrium of benefits” aside there is real political and strategic implication of this agreement; far greater than commercial one.

From my understanding cargo portion of the agreement is new addition. Once cargo flight takes off from India there is no way for Bangladesh to know or prevent arms shipment to other side of India. Given the contentious claim with Arunachal Pradesh btw India and China, this very issue puts Bangladesh in very bad strategic position and we are set to loose.

Besides, this interim entity by constitution is not authorized to make such agreement.

Would you please elaborate on misleading part?

Bangladesh's Best Air Plans Maiden Flight To KL In March

NEW DELHI, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Taking advantage of the increasing tourism and migrant workers travel from Dhaka to Malaysia, Bangladesh's domestic carrier Best Air (http://www.bestairbd.com/index.html) is gearing up to fly to Kuala Lumpur from early March.

Chairman Haider Uzzaman of Best Aviation Ltd, the parent company of Best Air, said the airline is awaiting final approval from the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Department, which is expected anytime soon.

"We will operate seven flights a week from March and expect a 80 to 90 percent load factor. Our 737-200 Boeing aircraft and crew are all ready for the first flight to Kuala Lumpur," he told Bernama when contacted in Dhaka.

There are an estimated 300,000 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia while about 40,000 Bangladeshi tourists visit Malaysia a year, making it a lucrative sector for Best Air that has plans to complement Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) service to Bangladesh.

"We can help the Malaysian government build up tourism, transport and manpower, and there are also about 2,000 Bangladeshis under the second home programme in Malaysia.

"In addition, we can help MAS in terms of long haul flights, because we can carry traffic to Kuala Lumpur and beyond as we have an interline agreement," added Uzzaman.

Best Air's right to fly to Kuala Lumpur will be a bilateral arrangement as, in return, Malaysia's long haul low cost carrier AirAsia X (http://www.airasia.com/) will fly to Dhaka soon.

Besides the Dhaka-KL route, Best Air will also be flying to Bangkok, Chennai, Kolkata and Kunming in China from April.

Best Aviation began operations in 1999 as a helicopter operator but moved into the passenger airline business last year after forming a strategic joint venture with Kuwait's Al Aqeelah Investment Group, which owns a lion's share of the venture.

Best Air will have as a competitor GMG Airlines (http://www.gmgairlines.com/), another private Bangladesh carrier that also plies regional routes.



-- BERNAMA

Fleet Committee of Biman, after examining the proposals of Boeing and Airbus, has finally recommended the following future fleet structure for Biman:

Total No. of aircrafts in the fleet: 14

B777-200ER (for long haul) 4

Airbus 330-200 (medium haul) 4

Airbus 310-300 (from existing fleet) 2

Airbus 319/320/321 (regional and domestic fleet) 4

The fleet committee has also recommended that Biman should take long term lease with the option of purchase of 3 of each new kind of aircrafts (3 B777-200ERs, 3 A330-200s, 3 A319/320/321s) while should purchase one aircraft of each new kind directly from the manufacturer (that is, to buy 1 B777-200ER, 1 A330-200 and 1 A319/320/321 directly from manufacturers). The logic of this single number direct purchase of each type of aircraft is, according to them, to keep open the option of receiving all new updates from the manufacturers, which is only provided to new aircraft buyers.

What you guyz think abt the proposed fleet?


It's pure crap and I don't think the fleet planning committee has suggested anything like that. The order is likely to be for 4 aircraft with options for 4 more and should be going Boeing's way. The only order, if any, that Airbus might win could be the A320 family for Biman's domestic/regional operations. For mid and long hauls, the 777s and 787s are certain to get the cheques.

The simple reason I call the aforementioned composition "crap" is because: (i) Biman does NOT need 14 planes rightaway because it won't be able to pay for all of them from its own revenues, and (ii) its utterly stupid to have FOUR entirely different types of aircraft for a total suggested fleet of 14 aircraft. Such a composition would lead to a very complicated scenario in the areas of powerplant types, crew commonality, and cross-cockpit training.


I have another question, considering the whole scenario, can't Biman decide to give up the domestic market as well as some regional routes (kolkata, kathmandu etc. ) permanently to private airlines, and concentrate only on medium and long haul international routes? I think this will help both sides.

You think the private carriers would be happy with just the domestic and regional routes for long? Nooo...they'll all soon want to fly farther, and encroach Biman's long haul network too, so why should Biman just leave the domestic/regional market for the private airlines? Besides, the domestic flights, especially to CGP and ZYL can be quite profitable too...if you consider the interline traffic that the international flights can feed into these flights, which is MUCH larger by volume than that of just domestic point-to-point travellers.

From my understanding cargo portion of the agreement is new addition. Once cargo flight takes off from India there is no way for Bangladesh to know or prevent arms shipment to other side of India. Given the contentious claim with Arunachal Pradesh btw India and China, this very issue puts Bangladesh in very bad strategic position and we are set to loose.

Besides, this interim entity by constitution is not authorized to make such agreement.

Would you please elaborate on misleading part?

You said it yourself, probably being 'misled' by the article! The recent amendment of the ASA allows 7-weekly all-cargo flights to be operated by the carriers of each country to the other. What the author mentioned in that article, and you reiterated, is "overflights" which are happening all the time! Indian airlines can carry whatever they wish from wherever in the world, to wherever in the world, flying over Bangladesh airspace so long they have a flightplan approved...it doesn't need the ASA to include the rights to do all-cargo flights to "overfly" Bangladesh. The same applies for any Bangladeshi airlines too...it can fly over India with whatever it wants to wherever it wants with an approved flightplan. Yes, the airlines would have to declare if they're carrying anything that requires declarations, as set forth in the Chicago Convention and subsequently enforced by ICAO...but that's a very regular phenomenon and has nothing to do with the ASA.

Bangladesh's Best Air Plans Maiden Flight To KL In March

The DAC-KUL sector will soon heat up with the entry of Air Asia X, and I also anticipate (i) Indian carriers to join in after the recent amendment of the ASA, and (ii) EK to add more frequencies and/or extend their DXB-DAC flight to KUL as they used to do earlier (when there wasn't this labour traffic available between Bangladesh and Malaysia). Using the same rights, Etihad or RAK Airways could do that too.

Once these players come into the market, it'll be interesting to watch our carriers facing up the heat!

Has anyone got any pictures of united Airways? or better still, has anyone had an oportunity to fly with United Airways, if so how did you find the whole experience?

Out of all the Private airlines of Bangladesh, I am very interested to see who will be the first to start flights to London.
We have United Airways whi with their majority shareholders from the UK will be trying hard, followed by Royal Bengal Airlines who is also very simmler in structure will also be trying. A2 Air, i understand will start with international flights, but they will concentrate mainly to middle eastern destinations. Best Air on the other hand seems more interested in the Far Eastern Asian destinations.

But somehow, I have a feeling that GMG might beat them all to it. As they have already started DHC-DxB so it's just a matter of time before they get the nod to come into the Europien skys.

Do you guys agree? If you know something other wise, do let me in on it.

Out of all the Private airlines of Bangladesh, I am very interested to see who will be the first to start flights to London.
We have United Airways whi with their majority shareholders from the UK will be trying hard, followed by Royal Bengal Airlines who is also very simmler in structure will also be trying. A2 Air, i understand will start with international flights, but they will concentrate mainly to middle eastern destinations. Best Air on the other hand seems more interested in the Far Eastern Asian destinations.

But somehow, I have a feeling that GMG might beat them all to it. As they have already started DHC-DxB so it's just a matter of time before they get the nod to come into the Europien skys.

Do you guys agree? If you know something other wise, do let me in on it.

GMG already has a timeline to fly to London by 1st Quarter 2009. Dont know if they will be able to maintain that schedule.

Credits to Akbar A. Sattar

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj50/amar11372/MyAviation.jpg

Has anyone got any pictures of united Airways? or better still, has anyone had an oportunity to fly with United Airways, if so how did you find the whole experience?

http://bp3.blogger.com/_PBGzvyx5MOw/RjhOCTNcajI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fMttDBtjET8/s1600/N811WP_uabdl.jpg

http://bp3.blogger.com/_PBGzvyx5MOw/RjhOCTNcajI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fMttDBtjET8/s1600/N811WP_uabdl.jpg

Virgin Atlantic Airways closely monitoring Bangladesh market

February 16, 2008
A Monitor Report

Dhaka : Virgin Atlantic Air-ways, one of the leading airlines of the world, is closely monitoring the growth in the aviation market in Bangladesh. Sanjay Kapoor, Head of Commercial, Virgin Atlantic Airways, said this while addressing a function arranged to honour the trade partners of the airline at a hotel in the city recently. Sanjay Kapoor expressed satisfaction at the growth and thanked the trade partners for their support and hoped the same would be forthcoming in the future.

Present on the occasion were Sudhir Sekhri, Sales Support Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways, India, Mahbubul Anam, Managing Director, Kazi Zahurul Qyyum, Director and Aftab Siddiqi, Deputy Manager, Marketing and Sales, Airline Services Ltd., GSA Bangladesh, Virgin Atlantic Air-ways.
Earlier in the morning Sanjay Kapoor, Head of Commercial, Virgin Atlantic Airways India formally inaugurated the new office of the airline at Banani in the city recently.

Message from Newark adds: Clear Registered Traveler announced on January 30 that Virgin Atlantic Airways will be the first airline to bring Clear to travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport. At Newark, Clear will launch at Terminal B, which serves Virgin Atlantic Airways and several other major airlines.

http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/aviation_story.php?recordID=1326

It would be awesome if Virgin Atlantic flies from USA/London to Dhaka.

LHR-ZYL will be a good route for Virgin. But if they want to scoop N.America bound pax they should fly to DAC.

Any signs of the ASA between UK-BD being revised to allow LHR-ZYL flights?

LHR-ZYL will be a good route for Virgin. But if they want to scoop N.America bound pax they should fly to DAC.

There is a sizable Sylhety presence in New York as well. But I would think DAC would be their choice.

Out of all the Private airlines of Bangladesh, I am very interested to see who will be the first to start flights to London.

Well, if 1/11 didn't happen, it "sort of" could've been this airline that I was (and technically still am) connected with!

I have no regrets though, for 1/11 probably saved the country from a terribly messy situation, and certain policy changes now being undertaken for civil aviation in Bangladesh are definitely more important than a rather freaky guy (me!) losing his chance to launch an airline he was dreaming to death about!

Any signs of the ASA between UK-BD being revised to allow LHR-ZYL flights?

I think its fairly imminent, for mutual interests of Bangladesh and the UK.

Low-cost airlines may get govt nod
Porimol Palma

An inter-ministerial committee strongly recommends that the government allow low-cost airliners from Dhaka to save huge foreign exchange and earn huge revenue from aviation and other sectors.

The committee after several meetings concludes that the countries signing bilateral air service agreement (BASA) with Bangladesh should be allowed to operate low-cost carriers from Dhaka subject to at least three weekly flights from Chittagong.

Representatives from the ministries of civil aviation and tourism, foreign affairs, home, expatriate's welfare and overseas employment, Civil Aviation Authorities of Bangladesh (CAAB), Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd and GMG Airlines comprise the committee headed by Civil Aviation Ministry Joint Secretary Fakhrul Islam.

The apprehension is incorrect that allowing such carriers will create an imbalance in airfares between the legacy and low-cost airlines, says the committee report.

"Because in the free market economy the government should ensure competitive business environment and consumers' interests so they have chances to choose on the basis of their purchase capacity," it explains.

The committee has however recommended allowing operation of only one low-cost or budget airline from each country.

"On the basis of the airline's performance in operation from Chittagong, it'll be allowed to operate five to seven weekly flights from Dhaka," an official commented.

He said the committee put the condition of operating three low-cost flights first from Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong to make more use of the airport's facilities.

Aviation experts welcome the recommendations saying Biman and other legacy airlines had been opposing favouring the budget airlines to protect their own interests.

Operation of budget airlines will enhance service standard and help reduce airfares that were increased by airlines due to passenger pressure, they observe.

Considering transport of only 10 percent passengers on Dhaka-Dubai and Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur routes in weekly 12 flights of two low-cost airlines, the government may earn extra around Tk 20 crore from aeronautical, non-aeronautical and ground handling sectors, the report says.

On the other hand, taking into account $100 lower airfare for each passenger on these two routes, the country would annually save around Tk 44 crore in foreign currency, it adds.

"Calculation of Dhaka to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain routes will surely increase the government's revenue income and save huge foreign currency," an official of the civil aviation ministry told The Daily Star.

Besides, the government will also earn revenue from the airlines' usages of airport's offices and lounge, he noted.

The feasibility report submitted to Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Syed Mohammad Jobaer on Tuesday says: "The low cost carriers will play a very significant role to carry Bangladeshi passengers of low income groups who travel to various destinations for jobs."

Besides tourists, over 6.5 lakh Bangladeshi jobseekers flew to different countries, especially to Malaysia and the Middle East in 2007.

Low-cost airlines are able to offer airfares lower by $100 to $150 than that of the legacy carriers. This is because of using same category aircraft and crew, low maintenance and fuel cost, short-haul flights, curtailment of onboard services like food and beverage, restrictions on baggage weight, online booking system and non-refundable tickets. The services onboard are however available on demand.

Currently Air Asia, Air India, Express, Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways of Kuwait are pursuing the government for operating low-cost carriers from Zia International Airport (ZIA).

Air Arabia is already operating such flights from Shah Amanat International Airport.

Bangladesh has bilateral air service agreement with 44 countries, but only 19 airlines from 15 nations operate flights from Bangladesh.

ZIA has the capacity of handling yearly 85 lakh passengers, but according to an analysis on last five years' traffic, it handled only 32 lakh passengers, meaning that the airport can accommodate many more airlines, an official said.

http://thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=25451

Well, if 1/11 didn't happen, it "sort of" could've been this airline that I was (and technically still am) connected with!


What is the "this" airline? Name please. And if the information isn't sensitive, why/how 1/11 prevents it from becoming reality?

Does anybody know what is the status of ZYL? Was it supposed to get some boarding bridges and other upgrades? Would be nice to see some recent pictures.

Low-cost airlines may get govt nod
Porimol Palma

ZIA has the capacity of handling yearly 85 lakh passengers, but according to an analysis on last five years' traffic, it handled only 32 lakh passengers, meaning that the airport can accommodate many more airlines, an official said.


I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps a month or so ago, I read somewhere that the authorities would prefer for the LCCs to use CGP owing to congestion at ZIA. It was a statement by the former civil aviation ministry's secretary or somebody from CAAB. Now the same folks give us a statistic that says not even half of ZIA's capacity is utilized? So what is fact and what is fiction?

http://bp3.blogger.com/_PBGzvyx5MOw/RjhOCTNcajI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fMttDBtjET8/s1600/N811WP_uabdl.jpg

please resend your picture.

What is the "this" airline? Name please. And if the information isn't sensitive, why/how 1/11 prevents it from becoming reality?
Muslin Air.
http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/archives/news_details.php?recordID=731
We even had this New Year celebrations event (without any idea of what's coming on the 11th day!):
http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/archives/news_details.php?recordID=776

The reason why we got stalled is because this would've been a Swiss entity with our equity in it and once 1/11 happened and Emergency Rule was declared, the Swiss investors and even us weren't sure if it'd be wise to go forth with such huge investments. Maybe some other day!

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Perhaps a month or so ago, I read somewhere that the authorities would prefer for the LCCs to use CGP owing to congestion at ZIA. It was a statement by the former civil aviation ministry's secretary or somebody from CAAB. Now the same folks give us a statistic that says not even half of ZIA's capacity is utilized? So what is fact and what is fiction?

I'm telling you, these people from our ministries and regulatory authorities are doing the wrong job. They'd be having blockbuster careers being at the circus.

Or, there may have been Mr. Jeff Dunham to 'make them speak' in the way they've just done! :)

You said it yourself, probably being 'misled' by the article! The recent amendment of the ASA allows 7-weekly all-cargo flights to be operated by the carriers of each country to the other. What the author mentioned in that article, and you reiterated, is "overflights" which are happening all the time! Indian airlines can carry whatever they wish from wherever in the world, to wherever in the world, flying over Bangladesh airspace so long they have a flightplan approved...it doesn't need the ASA to include the rights to do all-cargo flights to "overfly" Bangladesh. The same applies for any Bangladeshi airlines too...it can fly over India with whatever it wants to wherever it wants with an approved flightplan. Yes, the airlines would have to declare if they're carrying anything that requires declarations, as set forth in the Chicago Convention and subsequently enforced by ICAO...but that's a very regular phenomenon and has nothing to do with the ASA.


You are missing the point here. Cargo could have carried before and can now. But changes are frequency and type of flight and legal cover. This new ASA give blanket cover for flight without any previous permission required. Given hegemonic ambition and activities by India, strategic ramification from this asymmetric agreement is huge.

Bangladesh does not have regional or hegemonic ambition. Nor Bangladesh can fly with anything to anywhere, India knows and understand that very well. Unfortunately Bangladeshis failed to understand for last 50 years - just like all other treaty violation India will violate this one as well.

Anyway, this is not the thread or forum to argue on this subject and I will not try.

Muslin Air.
http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/archives/news_details.php?recordID=731
We even had this New Year celebrations event (without any idea of what's coming on the 11th day!):
http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/archives/news_details.php?recordID=776

The reason why we got stalled is because this would've been a Swiss entity with our equity in it and once 1/11 happened and Emergency Rule was declared, the Swiss investors and even us weren't sure if it'd be wise to go forth with such huge investments. Maybe some other day!



I'm telling you, these people from our ministries and regulatory authorities are doing the wrong job. They'd be having blockbuster careers being at the circus.

I don't really see how Emergency Rule could be a problem (maybe you could elaborate if you want to & if its not a problem). Also will you and the swiss investors be willing to go back to those plans, if there is a new elected govt that comes to power?

You are missing the point here. Cargo could have carried before and can now. But changes are frequency and type of flight and legal cover. This new ASA give blanket cover for flight without any previous permission required. Given hegemonic ambition and activities by India, strategic ramification from this asymmetric agreement is huge.

Bangladesh does not have regional or hegemonic ambition. Nor Bangladesh can fly with anything to anywhere, India knows and understand that very well. Unfortunately Bangladeshis failed to understand for last 50 years - just like all other treaty violation India will violate this one as well.

Anyway, this is not the thread or forum to argue on this subject and I will not try.

Have you read the actual ASA that has been signed, or are you taking for granted that the information in the newspaper article is precise? I have read the ASA, and I'm still missing your point. The ASA mentions 7x weekly all-cargo flights by the carriers of both Bangladesh and India from any origin point of their own countries to any point of the other country.

The changes, as you mentioned, are frequency and type of flights. And I don't know what you mean by 'legal cover' but all ASA's essentially provide legitimate rights to fly! You could also perhaps elaborate a bit more as to what you mean by saying "This new ASA give blanket cover for flight without any previous permission required.". The carriers (from both Bangladesh and India) despite the frequencies allowed, would still have to obtain the permission to be alloted with 'slots' to fly on the intended routes to the other country. And as for the contents of the cargo carried, there's a very clear and specific set of regulations in the Chicago Convention, agreed by all member states, regarding potential items for which prior declarations are required before a carrier may undertake to carry them. Both India and Bangladesh would have to adhere to that, norwithstanding any 'hegemonic' aspirations.

I, however, do understand the fact that the ASA is assymetric as far as respective benefits are concerned but there's really nothing to 'violate' here for either country...all pertaining rights, albeit inequal, are already explicitly stated in the ASA.

Educate me, if you will, please! :)

I don't really see how Emergency Rule could be a problem (maybe you could elaborate if you want to & if its not a problem). Also will you and the swiss investors be willing to go back to those plans, if there is a new elected govt that comes to power?

Emergency Rule overrides the (already weak) legal system in Bangladesh, and that, when you consider a sizeable investment and the legal issues that may arise in the course of time is a very important matter to worry about.

To try and re-initiate what we left stalled we need the country's legal framework to be free, which isn't possible under the Emergency Rule. Our lawyer had tried to explain to me the constitutional obligations and I could only figure as much!

Emergency Rule overrides the (already weak) legal system in Bangladesh, and that, when you consider a sizeable investment and the legal issues that may arise in the course of time is a very important matter to worry about.

To try and re-initiate what we left stalled we need the country's legal framework to be free, which isn't possible under the Emergency Rule. Our lawyer had tried to explain to me the constitutional obligations and I could only figure as much!

What I actually meant to say was that will you and the swiss investors be willing to go back to those plans, when a new elected govt comes and the Emergency rules are repealed? On the side note I do like the idea of a premium airline between BD and London, which is obviously a different path than the incumbent private Airlines' methods in the Country.

What I actually meant to say was that will you and the swiss investors be willing to go back to those plans, when a new elected govt comes and the Emergency rules are repealed?

Possibly, yes. Its more than just money though. The aircraft is in use on another route now which would have to be freed up in time, which is a tricky task by itself. Then there's the question of amending the ASA between UK and Bangladesh in time as well (to include multi-designation), something we knew we could pursue back in early 2007, though it is going to happen anyway now.

Does anybody know what is the status of ZYL? Was it supposed to get some boarding bridges and other upgrades? Would be nice to see some recent pictures.

I'm off to ZYL in a couple of weeks time and should be back with some photos of the building works (I doubt they're anywhere near complete) which I'll be uploading here. Watch this space!

BTW, anyone know a reputable "tour" operator in Sylhet? Would like to go see the rest of the country :) Feel free to PM me.

Muslin Air.
http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/archives/news_details.php?recordID=731
We even had this New Year celebrations event (without any idea of what's coming on the 11th day!):
http://www.bangladeshmonitor.net/archives/news_details.php?recordID=776


Oh yes, I vaguely remember reading about it. I hope you'll be able to pursue the idea, once things are back to "normal". Good luck.

This is off-topic but I couldn't resist. How does El Al fly to eastern destinations [SIN, BKK, HKG etc]? Saudi Arabia & Jordan cover the whole eeastern border of Israel. El Al can over fly Jordan but how does it fly over Saudi? They don't have diplomatic relations between them.

This is off-topic but I couldn't resist. How does El Al fly to eastern destinations [SIN, BKK, HKG etc]? Saudi Arabia & Jordan cover the whole eeastern border of Israel. El Al can over fly Jordan but how does it fly over Saudi? They don't have diplomatic relations between them.

Since the Arab League boycotts Israel, El Al can't fly into the airspace of these countries (except Jordan and Egypt which has signed peace agreements with Israel) and thus takes a long detour for its flights to Asia and the Far-East, making their tickets more pricey.

Many outbound travellers from TLV often take the TLV-AMM or TLV-IST flight for transit and take Royal Jordanian Airline/Turkish Airlines flights to Asia/Far-East, and it saves them about US$ 150-200 for doing so.

As for your query, non-stop flights from TLV-SIN/BKK/HKG probably goes over Eilat, the Red Sea, and India and takes about 12-13 hours instead of 8-9.

By the way, this overflight restriction applies for ALL airlines (not just El Al) flying into or out of Israel, and is the reason why you don't have any major airline from the whole of Asia operating flights to TLV. If I'm not mistaken, the only Asian airline which flies to Israel is Uzbekistan Airlines operating flights from Tashket with the Boeing 767-300.

I'm off to ZYL in a couple of weeks time and should be back with some photos of the building works (I doubt they're anywhere near complete) which I'll be uploading here. Watch this space!

BTW, anyone know a reputable "tour" operator in Sylhet? Would like to go see the rest of the country :) Feel free to PM me.

Hi bromora,

I was hoping, when you travel to Sylhet, if possible, let me know how is the new private airlines of Bangladesh is doing. Take some pictures of United Airways, Royal Bengal ect...

and if you can, why don't you use some of them to go from Dhaka to Sylhet. and make sure to write a full report of your first hand experiance of them.

@ Imran

Thanks for recommending the book From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback. I am midway in the book. It seems like a fascinating and an underdog story about Continental Airlines.

@ Imran

Thanks for recommending the book From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback. I am midway in the book. It seems like a fascinating and an underdog story about Continental Airlines.

Glad that you're enjoying it! Try to get your hands on the book on Southwest too...would be equally fascinating, if not more! :)

I have been trying for a long time to figure out how many dedicated cargo operators operate dedicated cargo flight from and to zia. Unfortunately, there is no information about it anywhere. The wikipedia site on zia only gives a list of cargo operators (including airlines cargo like emirates skycargo) but doesn't tell anything about how many of them use their own cargo aircrafts. Bismillah airlines uses their Antonov in the DAc-bkk sector and possibly in few more routes. Though Air France cargo is inlcluded in the wikipedia list, it was after the artifact incident when I could become sure that air france cargo plane comes to zia physically. so my query is,

1) how many dedicated cargo flights operate from and to zia each week?

2) who are the operators and what type of aircrafts they use?

any highlight from any insider?

I have been trying for a long time to figure out how many dedicated cargo operators operate dedicated cargo flight from and to zia. Unfortunately, there is no information about it anywhere. The wikipedia site on zia only gives a list of cargo operators (including airlines cargo like emirates skycargo) but doesn't tell anything about how many of them use their own cargo aircrafts. Bismillah airlines uses their Antonov in the DAc-bkk sector and possibly in few more routes. Though Air France cargo is inlcluded in the wikipedia list, it was after the artifact incident when I could become sure that air france cargo plane comes to zia physically. so my query is,

1) how many dedicated cargo flights operate from and to zia each week?

2) who are the operators and what type of aircrafts they use?

any highlight from any insider?

Not sure whether Imran has the information you're looking for, however, you may be able to piece together your own data by checking daily flights to/from ZIA, from:

http://www.flightstats.com/go/Airports

and select DAC.

I have been trying for a long time to figure out how many dedicated cargo operators operate dedicated cargo flight from and to zia. Unfortunately, there is no information about it anywhere. The wikipedia site on zia only gives a list of cargo operators (including airlines cargo like emirates skycargo) but doesn't tell anything about how many of them use their own cargo aircrafts. Bismillah airlines uses their Antonov in the DAc-bkk sector and possibly in few more routes. Though Air France cargo is inlcluded in the wikipedia list, it was after the artifact incident when I could become sure that air france cargo plane comes to zia physically. so my query is,

1) how many dedicated cargo flights operate from and to zia each week?

2) who are the operators and what type of aircrafts they use?

any highlight from any insider?


From what I know:

- EK operates 1x weekly all-cargo flight between DXB-DAC using the B747-400 owned and operated by Atlas Air for EK using the Emirates SkyCargo brand.

- SV operates 1x weekly all-cargo flights which usually is done by the MD-11F but I've seen occasional B747-200F service as well. From what I can recall, it is operates from/to RUH, and connecs to SV's flights from/to BRU and OST.

- Empost operates 2x weekly flights between AAN and DAC using the A300-B4 aircraft, operated by ACT Airlines.

- Cargoitalia used to operate 2x weekly flights to Dhaka with their sole DC-10-30F in a pretty bizarre routing that used Mumbai, or Chennai, or Osaka as intermediate points! I'm not sure if they still operate schedule flights to Dhaka though.

- Bismillah Airlines operates their AN-12 to Thailand and China but I don't know their schedule/frequencies.

These are the scheduled "all-cargo" operations into and out of DAC that I know of. Apart from these, I see the following pretty regularly operating charter flights:

- Antonov Airlines/Volga Dnepr/Polet Cargo Airlines with their AN-124

- Atlas Air with their B747-200/-400

- Yangtze River Express with their B737-300QC

- Uzbekistan Airways with their IL-76

And in case you're interested the ONE AND ONLY AN-225 'Mriya' was in Dhaka at least once (the one time I had seen it) on 25th November, 2005 and flew out to Nottingham, England operating a chartered flight the next day! It was one breathtaking beauty, and a sight I'll never forget!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/Edit-01.jpg

From what I know:

- EK operates 1x weekly all-cargo flight between DXB-DAC using the B747-400 owned and operated by Atlas Air for EK using the Emirates SkyCargo brand.

- SV operates 1x weekly all-cargo flights which usually is done by the MD-11F but I've seen occasional B747-200F service as well. From what I can recall, it is operates from/to RUH, and connecs to SV's flights from/to BRU and OST.

- Empost operates 2x weekly flights between AAN and DAC using the A300-B4 aircraft, operated by ACT Airlines.

- Cargoitalia used to operate 2x weekly flights to Dhaka with their sole DC-10-30F in a pretty bizarre routing that used Mumbai, or Chennai, or Osaka as intermediate points! I'm not sure if they still operate schedule flights to Dhaka though.

- Bismillah Airlines operates their AN-12 to Thailand and China but I don't know their schedule/frequencies.

These are the scheduled "all-cargo" operations into and out of DAC that I know of. Apart from these, I see the following pretty regularly operating charter flights:

- Antonov Airlines/Volga Dnepr/Polet Cargo Airlines with their AN-124

- Atlas Air with their B747-200/-400

- Yangtze River Express with their B737-300QC

- Uzbekistan Airways with their IL-76

And in case you're interested the ONE AND ONLY AN-225 'Mriya' was in Dhaka at least once (the one time I had seen it) on 25th November, 2005 and flew out to Nottingham, England operating a chartered flight the next day! It was one breathtaking beauty, and a sight I'll never forget!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/Edit-01.jpg

Gosh.. thats a lot of freight...It sounds dumb(but still asking :)), do Bd have enough demand of cargo to justify these frequencies?

AN-225 in DAC..:nuts:
What was it's payload? Surprised that DAC's runway supports the heaviest body in aviation world. Do they lax safety regulations for freight flights?

Gosh.. thats a lot of freight...It sounds dumb(but still asking :)), do Bd have enough demand of cargo to justify these frequencies?

AN-225 in DAC..:nuts:
What was it's payload? Surprised that DAC's runway supports the heaviest body in aviation world. Do they lax safety regulations for freight flights?

Bangladesh's exports demands even more freighter capacity. Chartering freighters means far higher per ton or per kg rate for the exporters compared to schedule cargo operators, and the volume of chartered cargo far exceeds the scheduled capacity available ex-DAC. There is also a huge shortfall of capacity for sensitive cargo as perishables, which is only carried by BG's belly cargo and EK SkyCargo and not others due to 'seepage' issues.

During summer, when the shortfall between power supply and demand expands to its maximum, it leads to far-less-than-optimal production rates for the RMG industries, which cuts down its lead-time for delivery and forces them to opt for expensive air freight rather than the usual sea-freight to Europe and North America.

The unofficial records tells me that in 2007, about 1.8m tons of cargo was freighted through ZIA.

As for the AN-225, it was proxying for an AN-124 that was originally chartered from Antonov Airlines and for some reason it couldn't be made available...and I couldn't be happier...it brought the 'beautiful beast' to town!!!

Though its capable of around 225 tons, it was carrying just about 100 on that occasion. And here's for your note:

1. Even at their respective MTOW, the AN-225 at has lower ACN's (Aircraft Classification Number; relative effect of an aircraft on the pavement) than the B777-300ER on all Flexible Pavement Subgrades simply because the weight of the AN-225 is distributed through a greater number of tyres (28 on the mains) compared to the B777-300ER (12 on the mains), thus having the lesser relative effect on the pavement. You may want to get the PDF from here for further detail:
www.eddh.de/x-files/dl_files/acn-tables.pdf

2. The runway at ZIA has a PCN of 59 which means it is capable to ideally take aircraft whose ACN's are 59 or lesser (the non-ER B767-300 has ACN of 59 on C subgrades; the B757-300 has 51, for example) and operation of aircraft with higher ACN's means (i) compromised safety and (ii) frequent repair needs. In case of ZIA, its both. Here's an article I penned a while back which tells a bit more:
http://www.newagebd.com/2008/jan/07/oped.html

Thanks TIslam and Iasif for your responses.

An-225 in ZIA......great occassion indeed.

At the risk of sounding dated I used to see these beasts (AN-22 Antei) come to Tejgaon in the mid-seventies, four contra-rotating props, 11,000 ehp's each :-)

Interestingly a good number are still flying as freighters...

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/photos/middle/5/8/0/1232085.jpg

At the risk of sounding dated I used to see these beasts (AN-22 Antei) come to Tejgaon in the mid-seventies, four contra-rotating props, 11,000 ehp's each :-)

As much as I admire the technological marvels like the B777 or the A380, nothing gets me nearly as high as big, old, noisy jets! I have a plan that I might execute this year, of flying some rarity airplanes...

1. B707 of Saha Air in Iran (don't know yet how I'm going to get in and out of Iran though!)

2. F-27 of Fokker Heritage Flight

3. The 'Connie' of Breitling Super Constellation Flyers

4. B727s of Amerijet International or Champion Air

5. DC-9 of Northwest

And maybe even some replica BIPLANES if I can get hold of one of those crazy flyers!

Anyone with more ideas, please fill me in...and anyone wishing to join me for any of these rendezvous ideas please keep your backpacks ready! :)

Imran,

Today we are so skeptic of those DC-10-30s becuz of Biman.......I think after 40/50 years in future, these trijets would be remembered as one of the most elegant, classy and charishmatic jetliners in aviation history........

What do u think?

For me, take off of a DC 10 is one of the most exciting view indeed...........

Engr. Ahmed Wakaar Raja, Former Faculty, AIUB

Biman is the global ambassador of Bangladesh and very dear to us. Just because of so many people's love, trust and loyalty, it has continued to fly in the skies even after losing millions of dollars every year due to administrative corruption, mismanagement and poor service quality.

It really hurts us to see it in such a bad condition right now. As a loyal customer, I would like to share some suggestions to improve the present state of our national carrier. Skipping the criticisms, some simple recommendations are made below:

Biman should immediately add at least ten (Currently only 7 out of 12 aircrafts are in service) new generation aircraft which are fuel-efficient and safer to fly. As there is money constraint, if it cannot accept offers by Boeing or Airbus Company, it can go for lease agreements with other airlines whereby one airline provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance, (ACMI) to another airline, which pays by hours operated. The lessee provides fuel, covers airport fees, and any other duties, taxes, etc. Also it should dispose off the age old DC-10s and F-28s keeping the Airbuses.

Biman has Air Service Agreements with 42 countries, but it maintains flights to 18 only. Instead of having flights on low profitable routes, it can only go for the most profitable routes which require proper market research.

As we have given permission to so many airlines on so many routes, where our Biman is operating, we are in a big competition where with few fuel-inefficient aircrafts, poor unfriendly service and administrative corruption we cannot survive. So to make the scenario improve, we can stop giving permissions to other airlines on those routes even in the domestic flights i.e. Sylhet, Chittagong, Bangkok, Kualalampur, Singapore, Kathmandu, London, Kolkata and all the M-E countries where so many of our countrymen reside.

The customers are the kings. So, our cabin crew and airport-counter persons need to be more customer-focused, friendly, smiling, polite, caring and helpful. Proper and rigorous customer service training should be given to them.

All over the world, airlines are going for ticket less online reservation system with the help of modern Information Technology. We should go for more transparent reservation and ticketing system by using IT to curb corruption and hassles.

Even a long waiting in the check-in counter unnecessarily creates dissatisfaction among the customers. Lots of employees are not properly trained to ensure faster service and breaking of the queues takes place due to improper exercise of authority. These problems are to be addressed and monitored.

Sometimes charging for the over-weight is not transparent. As there is no credit card payment system, cash is mishandled and no proper accounting and receipts are in practice. Instructions about extra payments and proper receipts are to be incorporated.

Introduce a corruption free system in reservation, maintenance and procurement.

There should be a monitoring team to check reservation errors, payment of agents' commission, mismanagement, wrong maintenance and to ensure procurement transparency.

Timeliness can make poor airlines look better. Proper scheduling and planning are to be carried out. Luggage should be handled with more care and attention.

Last but not the least, Biman should not lose heart as 150 million people are behind it.


http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=25643

Fleet planning bord has requested for 10 new aircraft yesterday.....which include

- 4 B777 - 300ER
- 4 B787 - 8 and
- 2 B737 or A320 for regional service.


http://www.ittefaq.com/content/2008/03/02/

They want to lease 6 B77E's in '09, '10, '11. Then why are they buying "4" B77W's? Do they plan to keep some leased 77E's even after the 77W's are delivered?

-wait a minute ... did Biman already decide on the planes or they will make a decision tomorrow (march 3)?

-Also can someone kindly translate the article (briefly)

AeroGeek - the new builds are supposed to replace the leased ones from 2013. Since Biman can't afford to run the current fleet through 2013 it'll have to find interim lease and the best type of aircraft to take on lease would abviously be the ones they intend to buy to allow for crew and engineering training as well as get Biman on the learning curve of operating these birds. As far as I know, if Biman places the order with Boeing, they'll try to find the aircraft for lease to Biman until they can deliver the new ones from around 2013.

amar11372 - The fleet planning committee has made up its mind and gave its verdict. Its now to The Board of Directors to run through and give its approval/disapproval which is expected to happen tomorrow.


* Can someone please tell me why the 'Quote' function isn't working?!?

AI, PIA etc carriers changed their livery after receiving 777's. I think BG will also change their's. I think girls handle cabin decoration, inflight entertainment, inflight magazine, creative ideas etc things better than boys do. So BG should employ some women folk in these areas. I heard some DC-10 & A310's inflight entertainment system went out of order because BG used pirated & low-quality CD, DVD's! Now we shouldn't do that to 777 & 787's, should we?

Imran Asif: "The fleet planning committee has made up its mind and gave its verdict. Its now to The Board of Directors to run through and give its approval/disapproval which is expected to happen tomorrow."

Does Biman's Board still consists of Bureaucrats? I ask because there was a report that the Bimans Board will include more industry oriented people. I am concerned that the Bureaucratic Board of directors of Biman may not approve this deal (since they cant pocket some cash ;) & among other reasons ).

AeroGeek AI, PIA etc carriers changed their livery after receiving 777's. I think BG will also change their's. I think girls handle cabin decoration, inflight entertainment, inflight magazine, creative ideas etc things better than boys do. So BG should employ some women folk in these areas. I heard some DC-10 & A310's inflight entertainment system went out of order because BG used pirated & low-quality CD, DVD's! Now we shouldn't do that to 777 & 787's, should we?

Manufacturers offer standard cabin decor and IFE options themselves and Biman would do well enough to just select theirs from the standard offering...if you let BG take this up as a priority issue, I'm afraid everything else might just fall apart. Its priorities should be to improve in on-time performance, better handling of baggages, decent in-flight meals and improved reservations & ticketing options. If they keep these areas okay, the pax won't really care if BG doesn't have a custom cabin decor or state-of-the-art IFE.

amar11372 Does Biman's Board still consists of Bureaucrats? I ask because there was a report that the Bimans Board will include more industry oriented people. I am concerned that the Bureaucratic Board of directors of Biman may not approve this deal (since they cant pocket some cash & among other reasons ).

Though I'm not entirely happy with the revised composition, Biman's current Board of Directors is definitely the least bureaucratic one that the airline had since it was formed back in 1972. Check it out here:
http://www.bimanair.com/aboutus/board_directors.asp

At least 2 of these gentlemen should be taking an exit, and I reckon it'll happen soon! ;)

As much as I admire the technological marvels like the B777 or the A380, nothing gets me nearly as high as big, old, noisy jets! I have a plan that I might execute this year, of flying some rarity airplanes...

1. B707 of Saha Air in Iran (don't know yet how I'm going to get in and out of Iran though!)

2. F-27 of Fokker Heritage Flight

3. The 'Connie' of Breitling Super Constellation Flyers

4. B727s of Amerijet International or Champion Air

5. DC-9 of Northwest

And maybe even some replica BIPLANES if I can get hold of one of those crazy flyers!

Anyone with more ideas, please fill me in...and anyone wishing to join me for any of these rendezvous ideas please keep your backpacks ready! :)

Imran

If I'm not mistaken, you're already out of luck for the Northwest (soon to be Delta?) DC-9. The current fleet types per the December (Fall) issue of inflight magazine, does not list any DC-9/MD-80 anymore. I flew DTW-IAD on A319 and IAD-DTW on a CRJ (Pinnacle Airlines). Also, I could not spot any DC-9s of NW at DTW. Their fleet now consists of B747-400, A330, B757 (some with winglets, flying to Europe), A319, A320, CRJ, and ERJ.

shatilislam Imran, Today we are so skeptic of those DC-10-30s becuz of Biman.......I think after 40/50 years in future, these trijets would be remembered as one of the most elegant, classy and charishmatic jetliners in aviation history........

What do u think?

For me, take off of a DC 10 is one of the most exciting view indeed.

The DC-10 will go down in history as one of the most amazing and most widely admired airplane ever built. In its time, it was one of the finest aircraft around and though the TriStar was a technologically superior aircraft, the DC-10 beat it to the marketplace and helped numerous major carriers worldwide to grow using its unique capabilities.

Despite certain early incidents involving the type (mostly attributed to maintenance issues by the operators), the aircraft continued to be in service for decades with enviable reliability.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines happens to be the last operator of the DC-10 in scheduled passenger service and I'd personally request Biman to operate a 'tribute flight' after its last scheduled passenger flight with the airline. Having been the workhorse for the airline for almost 3 decades, it deserves a respectful farewll bid.

And I second you in saying that it looks gracious as it takes to the skies!
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/Biman-DC10.jpg

At the risk of sounding dated


Oh o! Watch out for tan!

:colgate:

TIslam

Nah dude...I reckon the NWA DC-9s will be the LAST to go from my list! ;)

Moreover, at least among aviation enthusiasts worldwide, NWA retiring their DC-9s will be the biggest news since Wright Flyers took to the skies!!! :lol:

NWA's website, as of today, states (much to my relief because you almost scared the crap out of me!):

Fleet
The airline operates a fleet of more than 500 aircraft including Boeing 747s, and 757s, McDonnell-Douglas DC-9s and Airbus A330s, A320s and A319s. Northwest also is one of the world's largest cargo airlines, operating a dedicated fleet of 14 B747 freighters. It is the only U.S. combination carrier (passenger and cargo service) to operate dedicated 747 freighters.

http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/profi/facts/


*I'm told Northwest-Delta talks have stalled out due to disagreements between the airlines' pilot unions...you know any more about that? I always thought a DL-UA merger was more logical than NW-DL though!

Biman wants to procure 10 new generation aircraft

FE Report

Bangladesh Biman will renew its effort to procure at least 10 new generation aircraft worth more than US$ 1.0 billion to upgrade its age old fleet, officials sources said.

The state owned national flag carrier that is facing acute shortage of aircraft and struggling to maintain its international and regional schedules will review the purchase of the aircraft at its board meeting today (Monday).

Civil aviation aide to the chief adviser Mahbub Jamil, who heads the recently reconstituted Biman's board, will preside over the meeting in the afternoon.

"If approved, Biman will have to pursue higher government bodies to resolve the financial matter," a high ministry official said.

Biman will propose to buy eight Boeing and two Airbus. The Boeing will be operated in the international routes and the Airbuses in the regional routes.

It will propose to procure the aircraft in two phases, the official added.

During the last couple of years, Biman has been persuading the government to procure new aircraft. But its pleas were rejected due to fund crisis and other factors like Biman restructuring and manpower cut.

Biman has already cut its manpower by more than 2000 as part of its restructuring process to reduce the losses it incurred in the last couple of years.

It incurred a loss of around US$100 million in 2005-06 fiscal, after a record loss of $120 million in the previous fiscal.

At present, Biman has a fleet of 12 aircraft and of them, eight aircraft are in operation while one remains idle and three undergoing routine maintenance.

It lost two aircraft due to accident in the last three years and has to suspend some of it international and domestic routes.

The airline has identified the fuel-guzzling over-aged fleet as one of main reasons behind its perennial losses.

Biman, which sought strategic partner in the past without any success, also lost substantial market share due to fleet crisis and poor service compared to the international and regional players.

Available civil aviation ministry statistics said Biman carried more than 50 per cent of the country's passengers in the early 1990s which stood at less then 35 in recent years.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=26972

Do you think even if the Board of Directors approve this, the govt will allocate the necessary financial backing to complete the purchase from Boeing and Airbus?

I have read read somewhere that there is a proposal that after getting new 777 planes initially by lease and later by purchase from boeing, Biman may convert its DC-10s ( 3 of them, as more specifically) to Freighters and thus may commence cargo service in a larger scale. I think its not a bad idea.

Assuming that the fleet committee recommendation is approved, and possibly would be approved soon (not all bureaucrats are that bad :cheers:) , what would be the fate of the F-28 s? would all of them be scraped? I think Biman would keep the new 2 A310, as those are serving well.

TIslam

Nah dude...I reckon the NWA DC-9s will be the LAST to go from my list! ;)

Moreover, at least among aviation enthusiasts worldwide, NWA retiring their DC-9s will be the biggest news since Wright Flyers took to the skies!!! :lol:

NWA's website, as of today, states (much to my relief because you almost scared the crap out of me!):

Fleet
The airline operates a fleet of more than 500 aircraft including Boeing 747s, and 757s, McDonnell-Douglas DC-9s and Airbus A330s, A320s and A319s. Northwest also is one of the world's largest cargo airlines, operating a dedicated fleet of 14 B747 freighters. It is the only U.S. combination carrier (passenger and cargo service) to operate dedicated 747 freighters.

http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/profi/facts/


*I'm told Northwest-Delta talks have stalled out due to disagreements between the airlines' pilot unions...you know any more about that? I always thought a DL-UA merger was more logical than NW-DL though!

You're right but, I'm telling you I didn't see the MDs in their inflight magazine. I need to obtain a copy and check again. Also, I haven't seen any NW DC-9 at the airport for a while (I drive past DTW everyday on my way to work). Perhaps most of them are operated from MSP and MEM. Since they have 100+ of this aircraft (type) I can see how they can afford to keep them aloft for a very long time through cannibalization.

Yes, I know about NW cargo. Not much action in DTW but very busy Japan to ACN sector.

The DL-NW talks haven't been much in the news lately, so I don't know the details about progress or lack thereof. The merger isn't a welcome news for the consumers or their respective employees.

Biman wants to procure 10 new generation aircraft

FE Report

Bangladesh Biman will renew its effort to procure at least 10 new generation aircraft worth more than US$ 1.0 billion to upgrade its age old fleet, officials sources said.

The state owned national flag carrier that is facing acute shortage of aircraft and struggling to maintain its international and regional schedules will review the purchase of the aircraft at its board meeting today (Monday).

Civil aviation aide to the chief adviser Mahbub Jamil, who heads the recently reconstituted Biman's board, will preside over the meeting in the afternoon.

"If approved, Biman will have to pursue higher government bodies to resolve the financial matter," a high ministry official said.

Biman will propose to buy eight Boeing and two Airbus. The Boeing will be operated in the international routes and the Airbuses in the regional routes.

It will propose to procure the aircraft in two phases, the official added.

During the last couple of years, Biman has been persuading the government to procure new aircraft. But its pleas were rejected due to fund crisis and other factors like Biman restructuring and manpower cut.

Biman has already cut its manpower by more than 2000 as part of its restructuring process to reduce the losses it incurred in the last couple of years.

It incurred a loss of around US$100 million in 2005-06 fiscal, after a record loss of $120 million in the previous fiscal.

At present, Biman has a fleet of 12 aircraft and of them, eight aircraft are in operation while one remains idle and three undergoing routine maintenance.

It lost two aircraft due to accident in the last three years and has to suspend some of it international and domestic routes.

The airline has identified the fuel-guzzling over-aged fleet as one of main reasons behind its perennial losses.

Biman, which sought strategic partner in the past without any success, also lost substantial market share due to fleet crisis and poor service compared to the international and regional players.

Available civil aviation ministry statistics said Biman carried more than 50 per cent of the country's passengers in the early 1990s which stood at less then 35 in recent years.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=26972

Do you think even if the Board of Directors approve this, the govt will allocate the necessary financial backing to complete the purchase from Boeing and Airbus?

I wouldn't hold my breath.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakaairport135.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakaairport156-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakaairport157-1.jpg

^^
Nice pictures, Tmac. Thanks.

Do you think even if the Board of Directors approve this, the govt will allocate the necessary financial backing to complete the purchase from Boeing and Airbus?[/B]

The Board of Directors will largely approve the fleet planning committee's recommendations. Efforts are already underway to ratify the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol which will reduce (and even negate completely) the need for the government to pitch in cash. MD Biman himself said Biman has some BDT 600 crore in its cash reserves which it can use to make the initial down-payment (even BDT 300 crore is about US$ 40 million).

With the approval of the Board, Biman would sign up an MoU with Boeing to confirm the intent of purchase. The actual order would probably be announced once the government formally deposits the ratification instruments for Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol.

As for the recommendation of the fleet planning committee, I find it non-sensical to keep the A320 in consideration along with the Boeing widebodies. From what I can understand, it has been done to give the 'impression' that they evaluated both manufacturers equally, which is a strange and silly thing in itself. I've stated numerous times in my articles earlier that the whole order should go to either of the 2 manufacturers (since its only about 10-12 frames altogether with options) to ensure maximum price benefits.

If we hypothetically assume that Biman orders the B777, B787, and the A320 instead of the B737NG, it'd entail unnecessary complexities such as:

- The Shortened Transition And Rating (STAR) for the Boeing product line-up would not be entirely useful. From the B737NG to B787 the STAR timeframe is just 11 days (from B777 to B787 is 5 days). STAR wouldn't be applicable between A320 and B787/B777.

- The A320 flightdeck has the sidestick for operations, where Boeings have the yoke. It isn't a major problem, but still would entail 'habit' issues for the pilots.

I have read read somewhere that there is a proposal that after getting new 777 planes initially by lease and later by purchase from boeing, Biman may convert its DC-10s ( 3 of them, as more specifically) to Freighters and thus may commence cargo service in a larger scale. I think its not a bad idea.

Assuming that the fleet committee recommendation is approved, and possibly would be approved soon (not all bureaucrats are that bad :cheers:) , what would be the fate of the F-28 s? would all of them be scraped? I think Biman would keep the new 2 A310, as those are serving well.

Boeing is supposed to arrange an interim lease of B777s and B787s until they deliver the new builds from 2013 to 2017.

As for converting DC-10s into freighters, I think its a bit too late. A DC-10 is worth about US$ 3-4m and it costs as much to convert a pax DC-10 into a freighter. Biman may opt to sell a couple of theirs to use that money for the conversion but I'm not sure if its going to be worth the trouble. Even FedEx has stopped taking any more DC-10s, despite having the largest fleet of the type in the world, due to maintenace and operating cost issues. If FedEx, carrying express freight at premium rates doesn't find the DC-10s workable anymore, I can't believe Biman would find it good for the job. Moreover, keeping the DC-10s would mean having to keep a set of Flight Engineers to fly them (because Biman can't afford to convert the DC-10s into MD-10s like FedEx did, which incorpoares the glass-cockpit and offsets the necessity for FE's).

The A310s though, could be converted into freighters. It has a decent lift capability and range, and has a 2-man cockpit too.

As for the F-28s, if I were to call shots at Biman, I would place one at Nikunja towards the end of Rwy 14 and have it turned into a restaurant keeping the original livery and the flightdeck intact, and have Biman Flight Catering Centre run that business. The F-28 which crashed at Sylhet was taken up by Western Grill who made a restaurant out of it and the restoration is horrible, barely has any essence of what an aircraft restaurant is supposed to be and yet, just for the heck of the plane, its doing good business!

Imran,

Thank you for your valuable info on the problem of converting the dc-10s into cargo planes.

regarding the "sidestick" issue, i think if biman decides to keep couple of a310s, then the inclusion of a320s would not be a problem, as a310 pilots presently serving would be ready enough to take over the a320s alongside.

personally i do believe that biman should rather go for a319, as it has a longer range, which would enable biman, apart from serving routes like dac-ccu and dac-ktm, to use these smaller airbuses in dac-bkk and dac-del routes, thus reducing loads on its widebodies.

In fact I think the 2 retained newer (7 and 11 yrs old) a310 along with 2 procured a320 altogether will constitute a good airbus module for biman to cover its domestic, regional and some other (hkg, kul, sin etc) nearer international destinations, while the boeing fleet may well be dedicated for further destinations in middle east, europe, north america and if that day comes, to australia.....

Hi everyone,

I am new to the site, so I was wondering if any members of this site is located in Bnagladesh. Yoe see....I am very excited about all the private airlines that have mushroomed up in Bangladesh in recent year, and I would like to know how thay are all performing at present?

Please post some details if anyone has flowen with any of the private airlines and please, please post some pictures of their aircrafts and check-in ect.

Imran,

Thank you for your valuable info on the problem of converting the dc-10s into cargo planes.

regarding the "sidestick" issue, i think if biman decides to keep couple of a310s, then the inclusion of a320s would not be a problem, as a310 pilots presently serving would be ready enough to take over the a320s alongside.

personally i do believe that biman should rather go for a319, as it has a longer range, which would enable biman, apart from serving routes like dac-ccu and dac-ktm, to use these smaller airbuses in dac-bkk and dac-del routes, thus reducing loads on its widebodies.

In fact I think the 2 retained newer (7 and 11 yrs old) a310 along with 2 procured a320 altogether will constitute a good airbus module for biman to cover its domestic, regional and some other (hkg, kul, sin etc) nearer international destinations, while the boeing fleet may well be dedicated for further destinations in middle east, europe, north america and if that day comes, to australia.....

A couple of notes for you:

1. Biman's A310's have yokes, and not sidesticks.

2. The B737-600/-700 and A318/A319 are 'shrinks' among their families and have a far higher CASM than B737-800/900ER or A320/A321. For the routes you mentioned (DAC-BKK@ approx 850 nm; DAC-DEL @ 800 nm) the baseline models (B737-800 or A320) are fine enough, and even the stretched ones (B737-900ER or A321) can do those routes with ease and carry more pax and therefore have a lower CASM. The 'shrinks' are only good for long low-density routes and aren't the most popularly demanded models if you check the order backlogs of Boeing and Airbus.

:)

I think BG should only buy Boeing aircrafts now. I personally prefer B738 over A320 [I've flown on both]. If BG becomes all-Boeing then Boeing may provide some advantages in the future. Discounts in future procurements will be really cool. Aviation business is something where you must think in longterm basis. And I believe a close relation with Boeing will not harm BG in present or future.

As for the F-28s, if I were to call shots at Biman, I would place one at Nikunja towards the end of Rwy 14 and have it turned into a restaurant keeping the original livery and the flightdeck intact, and have Biman Flight Catering Centre run that business. The F-28 which crashed at Sylhet was taken up by Western Grill who made a restaurant out of it and the restoration is horrible, barely has any essence of what an aircraft restaurant is supposed to be and yet, just for the heck of the plane, its doing good business!

Does any one know about airline meals catering at ZIA? I only know that BFCC is the caterer who take care of all the in-flight meals suplied through ZIA.

The Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited on Sunday introduced fully-automated passenger revenue accounting system replacing the traditional paper-based revenue management.

‘With the commissioning of the computerised revenue accounting system, the airline will be able to streamline its financial performance,’ the state-owned carrier said in a statement.

The revenue accounting is a sales-based system which uses audit coupons to determine the final value of all related flight coupons.

The system enables users to have effective control over revenue accounting functions. The benefit of the system includes accurate revenue recognition in real time and reporting of ticketing discrepancies.

Biman’s managing director and chief executive officer MA Momen said the automation would improve the financial health of Biman.


http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/200803042657/country/biman-automates-revenue-accounting-system.html

Imran this might be a stupid question, but do Biman and the other private Airlines hedge the price of the rising oil by buying futures oil contracts (I know there is a premium but it better financial planning)? Also do you know of other hedging strategies for the aviation industry? Thanks

As for the F-28s, if I were to call shots at Biman, I would place one at Nikunja towards the end of Rwy 14 and have it turned into a restaurant keeping the original livery and the flightdeck intact, and have Biman Flight Catering Centre run that business. The F-28 which crashed at Sylhet was taken up by Western Grill who made a restaurant out of it and the restoration is horrible, barely has any essence of what an aircraft restaurant is supposed to be and yet, just for the heck of the plane, its doing good business!

Really? I thought the person who put that restaurant up is an aviator. A former BAF officer, who also has operates a business that offers mile high wedding ceremonies in a retooled DC-3 or something similar, somewhere in England.

Imran this might be a stupid question, but do Biman and the other private Airlines hedge the price of the rising oil by buying futures oil contracts (I know there is a premium but it better financial planning)? Also do you know of other hedging strategies for the aviation industry? Thanks

It isn't a stupid question but rather a very 'tipsy' question...and is leading me to believe you're one freaking alcoholic! ;)

You think Biman even knows what this 'hedging' thing is at the first place? You think it should even bother to learn? Heck no! It just got BDT 1,500 crore in fuel bill debts written off by the government...so why should rising fuel prices be of any concern whatsoever at Biman?

You see, well before an airline even thinks about hedging for rising fuel prices, its operational fundamentals have to be professional and commercial at the first place. Biman is an airline that has not had a comprehensive organizational audit in years. It doesn't even know its own true worth, or even the true value of its markets. Till date, it is run in an ad-hoc manner, which is expected when the airline is owned by the government which has no knowledge on the business at all.

Biman aside, I could perhaps try and answer your other query about hedging techniques for airline business. The available options are: (1) Over-the-Counter Instruments which includes collar structures and plain vanilla swaps; (2) Exchange-Traded Futures on crude or heating oil after calculating the basis risk, hedge ratio, number of futures; and then of course (3) No hedging, for which there is a significant support too (BA was quite explicit about this).

Premium measurement and its impact to Tobin's Q is also a key indicator for every given airline and its risk management strategies.

Air India started fuel hedging from March 2006 if I can recall correctly, and they use Citigroup for jet fuel swaps, options, and collars.

It isn't a stupid question but rather a very 'tipsy' question...and is leading me to believe you're one freaking alcoholic! ;)

You think Biman even knows what this 'hedging' thing is at the first place? You think it should even bother to learn? Heck no! It just got BDT 1,500 crore in fuel bill debts written off by the government...so why should rising fuel prices be of any concern whatsoever at Biman?

You see, well before an airline even thinks about hedging for rising fuel prices, its operational fundamentals have to be professional and commercial at the first place. Biman is an airline that has not had a comprehensive organizational audit in years. It doesn't even know its own true worth, or even the true value of its markets. Till date, it is run in an ad-hoc manner, which is expected when the airline is owned by the government which has no knowledge on the business at all.

Biman aside, I could perhaps try and answer your other query about hedging techniques for airline business. The available options are: (1) Over-the-Counter Instruments which includes collar structures and plain vanilla swaps; (2) Exchange-Traded Futures on crude or heating oil after calculating the basis risk, hedge ratio, number of futures; and then of course (3) No hedging, for which there is a significant support too (BA was quite explicit about this).

Premium measurement and its impact to Tobin's Q is also a key indicator for every given airline and its risk management strategies.

Air India started fuel hedging from March 2006 if I can recall correctly, and they use Citigroup for jet fuel swaps, options, and collars.

What about the Private Airlines of BD?

What about the Private Airlines of BD?

None. For 2 reasons:

1. An airline needs to grow to a certain extent of operations to take up the trouble of hedging and make it worthwhile. GMG is only growing now and has a long way to go. Before adopting jet-fuel hedging techniques, it needs to have a consistent fleet, optimum operational efficiency and a sustainable business plan. Only when all these are achieved, it may think of jet-fuel hedging tactics.

2. There are initiatives that Bangladesh Bank, as the central bank of the country, must take to allow for these hedging options to be used by the airlines. You need investment banks to facilitate the hedging options and Bangladesh Bank should lay out the detailed policy guidelines in this regard. It would have to ensure a sustainably strong foreign exchange reserves position, and a positive synergy in the banking sector of the country.

If you read between my lines: a very long way to go before you see Bangladeshi airlines adopting jet-fuel hedging!

The board of directors of Bangladesh Biman Airlines Limited meeting Monday night failed to arrive at any decision for purchase of aircraft for the national flag carrier, reports UNB.

Sources close to the marathon meeting said starting at 7.00 pm it continued until the midnight before adjourned to meet again on Sunday next.

The fleet committee constituted to review the purchase proposal submitted its proposal to the Biman management.

Biman, which had only 11 old aircraft in its fleet, had taken a move to procure more aircraft after its transformation into public limited company on July 23 last year. The re-born Biman took off on August 1.

While it remained a 100-per cent state-owned company, the PLC entity allowed Biman's board of directors to make its own decisions, including procurement of new aircraft.

Sources confirmed that the fleet committee had given a long-term proposal to make Biman well operational and profitable. It proposed for buying 8 aircraft - four for long routes and four for medium routes. Two more might be procured for short routes, if feasible.

Bedevilled by shortage of aircraft Biman could hardly operate flights to 18 countries although it had Air Service Agreement (ASA) with 42 countries.

The aging airliners got frequently grounded for technical reasons disrupting the flight schedule, thus chipping away its market share.

The board was likely to look into the proposal of IFC, a wing of the World Bank, for conducting study on Biman that would cost US$ 2.0 million.

The government on February 24 reconstituted the Biman board of directors, appointing Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to Chief Adviser on Civil Aviation and Tourism, as its head.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=27189

The country's biggest private carrier, GMG Airlines, eyes an ambitious turnover of around Tk 1,350 crore in 2008 as it is set to fly to four new destinations in the Middle East.

"We expect to hit Tk 1,350 crore turnover as we are going to fly to Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait and Doha in addition to our existing international destinations," said Shahab Sattar, managing director of GMG Airlines, which made Tk 280 crore turnover in 2007.

GMG Airlines, now with a fleet of 7 aircraft, flies to Kolkata, Delhi, Katmandu, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. It also operates on domestic routes.

In 2007, GMG carried 3,72,000 passengers on its international routes compared to 2,16,000 in 2006, a growth of around 72 percent.

The hefty growth was possible due to a steady rise in air traffic in Bangladesh's aviation market, said the GMG managing director.

The growth in air traffic, which according to experts is about 8.0 percent a year, has also encouraged at least four international airlines to begin operations from Bangladesh while three local private airlines started operations last year.

"We are getting passengers from this growth in air traffic," Sattar said.

"We want to start flying to Abu Dhabi in mid April," he said, adding that the airline will start flights to the new destinations after adding another Boeing-747 to its fleet in early April.

Sattar said the company plans to start flights to Muscat in early June while Kuwait and Doha in early August this year.

The GMG managing director hoped that total volume of passengers would reach around 10 lakh in 2008 and helped the carrier hit Tk 1350 crore turnover.

"The net profit that we are expecting to earn from this gross turnover will help us offset our accumulated losses," said Sattar.

At present, the airline has an accumulated loss of about Tk 45 crore, according to its managing director.

Starting in 1998, the GMG Airlines operated flights only on domestic routes for six years and got the permission to operate on international route in 2004.

The permission to start international flights also helped the airline reach break-even point after an eight-year consistent loss.

"We have reached the break-even point after we had got the opportunity to fly on international routes.”

The airline's net profit stood at about Tk 6 crore in 2007, up from below Tk 1 crore a year ago, according to Sattar.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26244

Best Air, a local private airline, has introduced 'SMS Information Centre' and 'Boarding Alert' for facilitating its customers.

"To get a boarding alert SMS about its flight information two and a half hours before departure of any scheduled flight, customers only need to keep open their cell-phone headsets," Forhad Hossain, head of marketing and sales of the Best Aviation Limited, said at a press conference in a city hotel Tuesday.

Bangladeshi customers can be able to connect themselves with information system through sending SMS to 2777.

To know the real-time flight status, customers need to type--- Best flight number DDMM and send to 2777.

For Best air's domestic flight schedule, customers need to type--- Best dsch, for international schedule ---- Bestisch, and for fare--- Best farefrom to (first 4 character of city).

"Best Air will initially start its international operation in Dhaka-Bangkok-Dhaka route by this month," he informed reporters.

"The company will also start its operation in Dhaka-Kunming, China, Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka-Chennai-Colombo, Dhaka-Kolkata and Chittagong-Dubai routes very shortly," he added.

Among others, ATM Mahbubul Alam, managing director and Rana Abul Basher, additional general manager of Wintel Limited, Kawsar Chowdhury, manager, marketing- communication and P.R of Best Aviation Ltd were present on the occasion.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=27108

The board of directors of Bangladesh Biman Airlines Limited meeting Monday night failed to arrive at any decision for purchase of aircraft for the national flag carrier

I was afraid of this, they better at least make a decision on this Sunday's Board meeting.

Biman’s slot at JFK Airport expires on March 23

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . New York

The slot of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at John F Kennedy Airport in New York is likely to be cancelled, if the national flag carrier does not resume its Dhaka-New York fight by March 23, the last day of the existing slot.

Though the Biman does not operate any flight on the New York route, the slot at the JFK Airport has been kept valid so far through applications seeking more time.

The New York office of the Biman said since the process of procuring new aircraft is under way, adding there was a possibility of restarting the New York flight.

Therefore, Biman will apply again seeking more time before expiry of the date of the present slot.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

I was afraid of this, they better at least make a decision on this Sunday's Board meeting.

Well, I fail to see why they failed to make a decision? They are after all, not the final authority. All they have to do is decide on a particular airplane maker and convey that to the powers that be to make that happen, or not. :gaah: It is soo frustrating with these lot (the kamlas)!

Well, I fail to see why they failed to make a decision? They are after all, not the final authority. All they have to do is decide on a particular airplane maker and convey that to the powers that be to make that happen, or not. :gaah: It is soo frustrating with these lot (the kamlas)!

It seems like the Board is the final authority(correct me if I am wrong). After Biman became a PLC last July the Board has the authority to select and purchase and finance the entire deal without asking for approval from the govt(like in the old days). Biman can even take out loans from Banks to finance the deal (thats if any Banks are willing to lend to Biman). No more begging the Ministry of Finance for the money.

It seems like the Board is the final authority(correct me if I am wrong). After Biman became a PLC last July the Board has the authority to select and purchase and finance the entire deal without asking for approval from the govt(like in the old days). Biman can even take out loans from Banks to finance the deal (thats if any Banks are willing to lend to Biman). No more begging the Ministry of Finance for the money.

You sure about that? I thought the finance ministry still has the final say. Perhaps our resident expert can tells whether Biman PLC indeed is the final authority.

Biman’s slot at JFK Airport expires on March 23

At the present time I don't think Biman has much choice. They should think about regaining it later on when(IF) they are able to revive business.

It seems like the Board is the final authority(correct me if I am wrong). After Biman became a PLC last July the Board has the authority to select and purchase and finance the entire deal without asking for approval from the govt(like in the old days). Biman can even take out loans from Banks to finance the deal (thats if any Banks are willing to lend to Biman). No more begging the Ministry of Finance for the money.

You sure about that? I thought the finance ministry still has the final say. Perhaps our resident expert can tells whether Biman PLC indeed is the final authority.

Now, this is a fun thing! Being a PLC, Biman's Board of Directors does have the sole authority (technically, that is) to take any decision whatsoever for Biman.

Practically though, it still needs as much government 'approval' as always because the government owns 100% of the company's shares and therefore as a shareholder it has the authority to approve or disapprove anything that the Board may decide.

It's quite like the old saying: Old wine in a new bottle...only in this case, the wine has gone bad!

I've been flamboyantly clairvoyant about this sorry state of Biman as a PLC...I think I'll quit this aviation thingy and take up 'fortune-telling' to bring me my bread & butter:
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/12/d705121502107.htm
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/06/29/d706291502125.htm

I don't think Biman should opt for an extension for the slot in JFK right now. They should wait for another couple of yrs to find out what happens concerning their business.

I was afraid of this, they better at least make a decision on this Sunday's Board meeting.

I believe they 'failed' for good reasons (well, at least one)...and I'm quite optimistic that they will decide on Sunday. ;)

Like I always said, keep the light of good hopes burning!

United Airways eyes Tk5cr revenue a month
Second aircraft arrives
Star Business Report
full details on:
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26353

I wish them good luck.

US extends NY flight agreement.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has partially resumed its domestic flights on Tuesday -- a day after cancelling all the five domestic flights due to aircraft shortage, said flight operation department of Biman.

Meanwhile, the US authorities yesterday extended an agreement with Biman Bangladesh Airlines till October 2008, leaving the option open for the national flag carrier to operate its Dhaka-New York flight in future.

Biman launched the flight in 1993 and suspended it in 2006 due to heavy loss.

Quoting Biman officials at its New York office, Khan Musharraf Hussain, Biman's deputy general manager of public relations, told The Daily Star that the JFK Airport authority has extended the agreement till October 25, 2008.

According to bilateral air service agreement (BASA) between Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of USA and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the authorities of John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York would cancel Biman's permission to operate to and from the airport unless Biman resumed its Dhaka-New York flight by March 23 this year.

In February, Biman through its New York office requested the JFK airport authorities to extend the agreement.

The Dhaka-New York flights would resume soon after Biman procures new aircraft, Biman officials told The Daily Star.

News agency BSS quoting New York office of Biman reported on Tuesday that there is a possibility of resuming the Dhaka-New York flights as the process of procuring new aircraft is under way.

Biman will seek to extend the BASA agreement again before it expires, said the Biman officials.

Explaining the reason behind the cancellation of all domestic flights, a Biman official told The Daily Star, "Biman on Monday cancelled five of its domestic flights to Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar as all its four F-28 aircraft that are used to operate domestic flights went out of order due to technical glitches."

Biman, however, managed to resume the domestic flights Tuesday with a repaired F-28, said the official.

On Tuesday, Biman cancelled at least two domestic flights (Sylhet and Chittagong) and one international flight (Kolkata) due to aircraft shortage, the official added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26354

It seems like GMG Airlines broke-even 3 years ago and made(making) profit for the past 2 years. Would starting a cargo business boost their revenue and ultimately increase their profitability since Diversification is always important to securing future growth and sustainability.

US extends NY flight agreement.


Why doesn't Biman just give this route to a private Airline (maybe for a fee)? Or temporarily code-share with AI or other airlines? Without getting a new long-rage fleet Biman shouldn't even be thinking about resuming this route.

Why doesn't Biman just give this route to a private Airline (maybe for a fee)? Or temporarily code-share with AI or other airlines? Without getting a new long-rage fleet Biman shouldn't even be thinking about resuming this route.

A code-share just might happen and if it does -- it will have to happen with GMG (if Biman doesn't get their long-range fleet ready in time)...

Why doesn't Biman just give this route to a private Airline (maybe for a fee)? Or temporarily code-share with AI or other airlines?

Because in order to do that, they'll first have to decide to do it...which is a very tough thing indeed at Biman! ;)

A code-share just might happen and if it does -- it will have to happen with GMG (if Biman doesn't get their long-range fleet ready in time)...

Biman can do it itself if it really wants to and works hard and smart to get an appropriate interim fleet on lease. Another option is to wet-lease an aircraft to do this route only (the way Z5 does its DAC-DXB route). The problem is again the 'decision' factor! :)

Hi,

Does anyone have any pictures of the new United Airways Dash 8-100?

^^Here we go.......

http://www.allwoodwings.com/4-CivilianAircraft/Images-HeavyAircraft/DHC-8,Dash8-100.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/126358899_a71b70cd45.jpg

http://www.airinuit.com/img/Dash8cabin003-8-150.jpg

http://www.airinuit.com/img/Dash8cabin005-8-150.jpg

Imran you forgot to comment on my previous post #1191 :)

It seems like GMG Airlines broke-even 3 years ago and made(making) profit for the past 2 years. Would starting a cargo business boost their revenue and ultimately increase their profitability since Diversification is always important to securing future growth and sustainability.

I haven't had a look into GMG's figures, so can't comment on it but I'd guess that they are probably 'profitable' now, but not sure if they've reached break-even already. Accumulated losses can take a while to be offset.

As for cargo, I'm sure they sell their belly space for that and so cargo business is already on. Whether they'd have decicated freighters to operate would depend on their business plan and their priority areas of growth. Many airlines don't operate any dedicated freighters, but still carry great volumes of cargo through the network. Its all in the business plan and the strategies & policies each airline adopt.

Imran you forgot to comment on my previous post #1191 :)

Age is taking its toll on me...I feel old at 31! ;)

I haven't had a look into GMG's figures, so can't comment on it but I'd guess that they are probably 'profitable' now, but not sure if they've reached break-even already. Accumulated losses can take a while to be offset.

As for cargo, I'm sure they sell their belly space for that and so cargo business is already on. Whether they'd have decicated freighters to operate would depend on their business plan and their priority areas of growth. Many airlines don't operate any dedicated freighters, but still carry great volumes of cargo through the network. Its all in the business plan and the strategies & policies each airline adopt.



Age is taking its toll on me...I feel old at 31! ;)

A couple of days ago, TheDailyStar reported that GMG Airlines made a profit of 6 crore and 1 crore the year before. They have an accumulated loss of about 45 crore. By GMG's profit growth, I think it shouldn't be too difficult to come out ahead of the accumulated losses. Then they could be buying bigger & efficient aircrafts :banana:

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26244


-On the side note isn't a 6 crore profit over Tk 280 crore turnover(revenue in 2007) a bit too low. The return on sales accounts to about 2%. Or is it that their business model is highly leveraged, allowing them to profit way above 2%? (just curious :))

double post

Because in order to do that, they'll first have to decide to do it...which is a very tough thing indeed at Biman! ;)

Isn't it also a fact that Biman was losing a LOT of money per flight on this route? It wouldn't make business sense to restart it unless they can at least break even.

A couple of days ago, TheDailyStar reported that GMG Airlines made a profit of 6 crore and 1 crore the year before. They have an accumulated loss of about 45 crore. By GMG's profit growth, I think it shouldn't be too difficult to come out ahead of the accumulated losses. Then they could be buying bigger & efficient aircrafts :banana:

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26244


-On the side note isn't a 6 crore profit over Tk 280 crore turnover(revenue in 2007) a bit too low. The return on sales accounts to about 2%. Or is it that their business model is highly leveraged, allowing them to profit way above 2%? (just curious :))

As I said earlier, since I haven't had a first-hand look at their figures, I can't really comment on the figures stated in the report.

However, I do know that CAAB with technical assistance of COSCAP-SA will be conducting an operational audit on GMG. Though this audit is on technical and operational aspects only and will not be a financial audit by any means, it will still reveal important indicators based on which logical assumptions may be made.

Isn't it also a fact that Biman was losing a LOT of money per flight on this route? It wouldn't make business sense to restart it unless they can at least break even.

Biman was losing money on operating the JFK flight not because of the fact that the market was inadequate, but rather because Biman's operations are parthetically inefficient and was plagued with corruption until even 2-3 years back.

The airline had Station Managers (at different destination points including JFK) who stole money from passengers' meal and accommodation allowances, bought items such as Coke and tissue papers on AOG situations...I could go on. If these problems persist, Biman won't make money on any route irrespective of however efficient their planes are. You can't live long biting the hand that feeds you!

Even if BG orders Boeing, they won't get the leased 777's before 2009. So JFK's extension of deadline upto October 2008 doesn't effect BG. However, if Boeing plays some candestine "influential" roles, then JFK might extend the deadline some more. And if that doesn't happen is it possible to operate flights to JFK from BRU with A310? Will JFK authority create problems if Z5 fly to JFK with their old 743?

Will JFK authority create problems if Z5 fly to JFK with their old 743?

Whats 743? GMG could just use a 747. The market size in USA is HUGE, Biman wont make money until it is at least semi-privatized and gets a private sector Director on its board.

Even if BG orders Boeing, they won't get the leased 777's before 2009. So JFK's extension of deadline upto October 2008 doesn't effect BG. However, if Boeing plays some candestine "influential" roles, then JFK might extend the deadline some more. And if that doesn't happen is it possible to operate flights to JFK from BRU with A310? Will JFK authority create problems if Z5 fly to JFK with their old 743?

If BG tries hard, it may get a couple of B777s in 2008 but I don't think JFK would be a priority destination, unless driven politically.

Biman would not (and I also think it should not) use its A310's for the JFK flight. These planes are much better off for the airline to be used on mid-range flights in greater frequencies (DAC/ZYL-DXB-LHR/KUL/SIN/BKK)than for long-range flights resulting in fewer flights. Technically, to answer your question, the A310 does have the range to do BRU-JFK...but I'm not sure if Biman would get the required ETOPS approval for the planes to go across the pond.

As for hypothetically assuming Z5 doing the JFK flights with their lease B747-300s, it doesn't really matter how 'old' the planes are...what matters is how well the owner/operator maintains them. If the plane is maintained up to the required standards, it can fly into, within, and out of US without any problems whatsoever. Ask NW about their DC-9s! :)

Whats 743?

ICAO's 3-letter aircraft type designator for the 747-300.

Other examples:
747SP: 74S
747-100: 741
747-200: 742
747-400 (International; winglets): 744
747-400 (Domestic; no winglets): 74D

Bahrain Air to operate flights from Dhaka from April
Unb, Dhaka

Bahrain Air takes off its inaugural flight from Dhaka on April 2, connecting Bangladesh to the Middle East with yet another airline to share a growing load of air traffic.

Director (Commercial Operations) of the Bahrain Air Saleh Al Fakhri, who came here on a short trip, announced at a press conference at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday their plan to operate two flights a week.

Bahrain Air, the second national flag carrier of the Gulf country, will operate its flight on the Dhaka-Manama route with an A320 Airbus on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Every flight will be back next day. All the passengers' service will be economy class.

With this one, a total of 13 airlines, including the host Bangladesh Biman, will operate on different routes from here to the Middle Eastern region.

In the wake of serious shortage of flights for carrying workers and pilgrims to the region, the government has recently adopted a policy of giving permission on priority basis to any airlines from the Middle East to operate flight from Bangladesh.

The Bahrain-bound flight will leave Zia International Airport at 1:35 am and reach Bahrain International Airport at 5:55 am.

Fakhri said that his airline would also provide connecting flight facility for its passengers bound for other destinations in the Middle East.

“We have operations in other cites in the Middle East... so we can easily provide immediate connecting flight to any other city in the Middle East,” he told journalists.

http://thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26512

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1625/80579755pj4au8.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8683/71066124do3fi8.jpg


GOB was clever enough:nuts: to include representative from Biman & Gmg in the committee to decide the fate of their new competitors......

Ask NW about their DC-9s! :)

And may I add, the interior (cabin) also doesn't look as bad as Biman's (aircrafts) either! As Imran points out, well maintained aircrafts can fly forever.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1625/80579755pj4au8.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8683/71066124do3fi8.jpg


GOB was clever enough:nuts: to include representative from Biman & Gmg in the committee to decide the fate of their new competitors......

Care to translate the article. :)

And may I add, the interior (cabin) also doesn't look as bad as Biman's (aircrafts) either! As Imran points out, well maintained aircrafts can fly forever.

NW had retrofitted their entire fleet of DC-9s with 717-style interiors. Biman on the other hand, have been seen to use adhesive tapes to hold their interiors together! The water from the air-conditioner continues to drop though, and it cracks the hell out of me when passengers often freak out thinking its the rain outside that's leaking in!

The experience is more funny, than scary! :)

GOB was clever enough:nuts: to include representative from Biman & Gmg in the committee to decide the fate of their new competitors......

1. If these aspiring low-cost carriers are denied their rights to fly into and out of ZIA, they should take up a kickass action plan and teach the GoB and CAAB a lesson for life. This is nothing but a shameful display of sheer incompetency and professional delinquency. First, the officials went to India to amend the ASA and double-up the frequency, and now they're "thinking" whether to let their carriers to fly the allowed frequencies! Its like a prostitute taking the money in advance, and then thinking whether she should be game! ASA's do not in any way, implied or otherwise, differentiate between low-cost carriers and full-service/legacy carriers and if the frequencies permit, they have rights to getting slots to fly to ZIA, norwithstanding any reservation whatsoever in part of Bangladesh.

2. Passengers as the end-users have the right to more choices, and in no way should the GoB/CAAB try to strip that right from them in the name of 'protecting' local airlines.

3. Biman, and other private carriers, should not be given any unfair protection from competition. As it is, competition improves the quality of products/services and it'd also be the same for our airlines. I've said this earlier and will say it again...if the government truly wants any good for our airlines, it should: (i) take off the ridiculous duties on jet fuel, (ii) take off the absurd duties on aircraft & spares, (iii) ratify the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol, and (iv) make serious moves to get rid of the idiots from CAAB and get it into a decent shape.

Same location different angle GMG 747
Credits to Akbar A. Sattar

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj50/amar11372/7477.jpg?t=1203748055

By the way I contacted Mr. Sattar, he agreed to post more pics in myaviation.net and will try to post pics right here in our little Bangladesh subforum. :)


Hello everybody,

This is Akbar A. Sattar here. I am sorry I couldn't get on earlier, i had account problems. Here i will continue to post pictures.

Hello Amar,

Akbar

NW had retrofitted their entire fleet of DC-9s with 717-style interiors. Biman on the other hand, have been seen to use adhesive tapes to hold their interiors together! The water from the air-conditioner continues to drop though, and it cracks the hell out of me when passengers often freak out thinking its the rain outside that's leaking in!

The experience is more funny, than scary! :)

Hey, that's how I felt on my one and only JFK-BRU-DEL-DAC flight. I felt like, what? Biman needs to remind me I'm returning to Dhaka and it is raining there? To the cabin attendant it was no big deal though, he brought me a bunch of newspaper to cover myself with!

Biman was losing money on operating the JFK flight not because of the fact that the market was inadequate, but rather because Biman's operations are parthetically inefficient and was plagued with corruption until even 2-3 years back.

hmmm....that implies corruption is no longer present at Biman. I'm sure you didn't mean that :)

hmmm....that implies corruption is no longer present at Biman. I'm sure you didn't mean that :)

The keyword in my previous statement was 'plagued'!

What is still left now is a fraction of what used to be...and its largely because of the purchase policies. For example, the purchase policies on AOG situation needs to be updated with provisions clearly defined. The large holes have been plugged already, and its the smaller ones that needs some attention.

The keyword in my previous statement was 'plagued'!

What is still left now is a fraction of what used to be...and its largely because of the purchase policies. For example, the purchase policies on AOG situation needs to be updated with provisions clearly defined. The large holes have been plugged already, and its the smaller ones that needs some attention.

I read somewhere that when Khaleda Zia's brother used to be the "power behind the throne" of Biman, he used to make them order all (repair) parts as an "emergency repair" order thereby increasing the cost manifold. Has this practice ceased?

Hello everybody,

This is Akbar A. Sattar here. I am sorry I couldn't get on earlier, i had account problems. Here i will continue to post pictures.

Hello Amar,

Akbar

Hello! Akbar, Welcome to the forum. Everyone, its Akbar A. Sattar who I invited to post pics here. He is the photographer of GMG's 747. Eagerly waiting for more pictures from you. :)

Welcome, Akbar. Will look forward to your posts.

Biman likely to lose $20-25m if aircraft procurement delayed
Dhaka

The Bangladesh Biman Airlines Limited is likely to lose $20-25 million if they fail to reach a decision on the purchase of aircraft within this month.

Two aircraft suppliers, Boeing and Airbus, gave separate proposals to the Biman authorities, as the national flag carrier decided to procure some aircraft to have a smooth operation.

Sources in Biman confirmed that Boeing mentioned the deadline of their proposal as March 15, while the Airbus deadline is until the end of this month. If the Biman authorities fail to sign agreement before the deadline, the delivery of aircraft will be delayed by six months.

The fleet committee of Biman suggested that to make it a trouble-free airliner, Biman must procure at least eight aircraft. A high official in Biman told the news agency that to procure aircraft from Boeing or Airbus, it would need $800 million to $1500 million, depending on the type of aircraft selected.

But if the Biman, which was converted into public limited company on July 23 last year and started its journey on August 1, makes any delay in the procurement, it would have to spend additional $ 20-25 million. If the Biman make the agreement within the deadline, the first phase supply of aircraft will come in 2012 while the second phase will come in 2017.

Before the delivery, Biman will have to run its fleet with leased aircraft. To lease aircraft it will need $4-9 million per month, depending on the type of aircraft selected and lease system. That means, due to the delayed delivery, Biman will have to pay $24-54 million extra per aircraft as lease money.

There are two types of lease system — wet and dry. A wet lease means an aircraft with its pilots and other staffs, while dry lease is just for the aircraft. An official of accounts section in Biman said if Biman could procure or lease at least eight aircraft, it will be very much possible for the national flag carrier to save Tk 2000 crore of the country that the foreign airliners take away through carrying Bangladeshi passengers to different destinations.

Bangladesh’s aviation industry is growing about 7.5 per cent a year. But Biman can carry only 31 per cent of the total passengers mainly due to aircraft shortage.

Currently, Biman has only 11 old aircraft in its fleet. Many of its planes get frequently grounded for technical reasons due to its aging fleet, which has only old-generation aircraft aged between 17 and 29 years, except two. Such grounding of planes is wrecking havoc on its flight schedule, chipping away at its market share.

Biman presently owns three types of aircraft — four DC10-30s, four F-28s, and three A310-300s. Production of DC10-30s and F-28s has been discontinued because of their lack of viability in business.

Out of the four DC10-30s, three are 29 years old while the other is 17-year old, the four F-28s are 31 years old, and two of the A310-300s are 11 years old while the other is 7-year old.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

Hello! Akbar, Welcome to the forum. Everyone, its Akbar A. Sattar who I invited to post pics here. He is the photographer of GMG's 747. Eagerly waiting for more pictures from you. :)

Hello Akbar bhai. Nice to see that you have joined us.

Can you please, if possible post some photos of the new private airliners of Bnagladesh; United, Best, Royal Bengal ect

Hello! Akbar, Welcome to the forum. Everyone, its Akbar A. Sattar who I invited to post pics here. He is the photographer of GMG's 747. Eagerly waiting for more pictures from you. :)

Curious minds would like inquire: any relation to Mr. Shahab Sattar, the MD (CEO) of GMG? You don't have to answer if you choose not to.

Any possibility of cabin pictures of the 747?

Welcome to the forum.
:)

A warm welcome to Mr. Akbar from myself as well :)

I read somewhere that when Khaleda Zia's brother used to be the "power behind the throne" of Biman, he used to make them order all (repair) parts as an "emergency repair" order thereby increasing the cost manifold. Has this practice ceased?

Yeah, those days are long gone....though I can't say its all good for the airline! That's because now they've become 'too cautious' and thinks 200 times over before buying parts actually needed...and therefore often result in unnecessarily long aircraft downtime for mx!

In Bangladesh, its often one extreme or the other! :)

I am still looking for more pictures of mine to paste, but I have many. Do they need to be posted onto the internet to be posted here?

Curious minds would like inquire: any relation to Mr. Shahab Sattar, the MD (CEO) of GMG? You don't have to answer if you choose not to.

Any possibility of cabin pictures of the 747?

Welcome to the forum.
:)

I will try to get some cabin pictures of the 747. I am also related to Shahab.

Hello Akbar bhai. Nice to see that you have joined us.

Can you please, if possible post some photos of the new private airliners of Bnagladesh; United, Best, Royal Bengal ect

I found a picture of the Best Air aircraft on the internet. I am not the photographer of it though. Credit- Bestairbd.comhttp://www.bestairbd.com/photo_gallery/img01.jpg

[B][SIZE="4"]...Out of the four DC10-30s, three are 29 years old while the other is 17-year old, the four F-28s are 31 years old, and two of the A310-300s are 11 years old while the other is 7-year old.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

HOLY COW!! :nuts: I hope they come to a decision in time. I wouldn't like to see a south Asian national carrier go down.

This photo, albeit an artists impression, should be voted unanimously for the 'Pic of the Year' award in this forum! ;)

The Board at Biman meets tomorrow (9th March) once again to decide on the fleet renewal issue, and if the composition to be approved consists the 787, 777, and 737NG...I'll have beaten Boeing and Biman with the release of this pic!

This photo is an exclusive entry here and not to be found anywhere else on the Web at the moment...until the order gets announced officially by Biman and Boeing!

Enjoy! :)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/Biman2.jpg

Pic of the Year

reminds me of Biman's old slogans:

"................. majestic all the way." and
".............. your home in the air."

Really a nice pic! Whether it's a fiction or fact will hopefully be decided by tomorrow night [unless they decide to continue the meeting overnight & fail to decide again]. There's only a small error. B777-300ER's wingtips are raked [for fuel efficiency or longer range, I'm not sure which one]. The pic's 777 doesn't have raked wingtips.

BTW, no more black-nosed aircrafts?

Yeah, those days are long gone....though I can't say its all good for the airline! That's because now they've become 'too cautious' and thinks 200 times over before buying parts actually needed...and therefore often result in unnecessarily long aircraft downtime for mx!

In Bangladesh, its often one extreme or the other! :)

That is the problem of public (government) vs private. In private companies employees are driven my profit motive translated to bonuses/promotion and what is best for the company. Whereas in government owned enterprises, nobody wants to stick his neck out.

Hey, those are great pictures. I hope to see them in newspapers soon!

Really a nice pic! Whether it's a fiction or fact will hopefully be decided by tomorrow night [unless they decide to continue the meeting overnight & fail to decide again]. There's only a small error. B777-300ER's wingtips are raked [for fuel efficiency or longer range, I'm not sure which one]. The pic's 777 doesn't have raked wingtips.

You're one 'picky' geek AeroGeek! :)

The 777 has the raked wingtips...but that angle is odd enough to confuse the beholders! I have other pics of her, in BG's livery, that shows the wingtips and will try and post them here too.

As for the purpose of the wingtips, its both fuel efficiency and range...since it helps reduce the fuel burn (through reducing drag from wingtip vortices) and therefore allows for a few hundred miles of extra range.

And as for the black nose thingy, I think it looked best on the Diesel 10's!

B777-300 ER is one of my favorites. It is powered by two GE90-115B, most powerful jet engines in the world producing 110,000 pound thrust each.

I don't like the 787 nose, it doesn't look as mighty or gracious as 777, in my view.

During flight (only) the wing is flexed upwards and the tip stays upwards; yes the rendering doesn't 100% portray that.

B777-300 ER is one of my favorites. It is powered by two GE90-115B, most powerful jet engines in the world producing 110,000 pound thrust each.

Make that 115,300 lbs of thrust! The 110,100 lbs rating is on the -200LR's and available on the -300ER's as a 'derate' option for the customers.

By all means, the finest aircraft in the skies today and will surely surpass the sales of the 777-200ER (so far the highest selling model of the family).

I am still looking for more pictures of mine to paste, but I have many. Do they need to be posted onto the internet to be posted here?

You have to get a photo hosting site such as Flickr (http://www.flickr.com) or Photobucket (http://photobucket.com/) and then you can just link the pics here.

Biman to have new aircraft on lease soon

UNB, Dhaka

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited is likely to have in its fleet a Boeing 747 aircraft on lease within a couple of weeks.

"All the necessary procedures in this regard have been completed and we'll come to know by Monday when the aircraft will arrive in Dhaka," a senior Biman official told UNB.

He said Biman has struck a deal with Nigerian origin Kabo Air for taking the aircraft from it on lease.

The aircraft will be delivered under 'wet lease' system under which all the staff and crewmembers will be provided by Kabo Air. Biman will simply supply fuel. Set up in February 1980, Kabo Air started operations in April 1981.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/03/09/news0694.htm

Biman to have new aircraft on lease soon

UNB, Dhaka

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited is likely to have in its fleet a Boeing 747 aircraft on lease within a couple of weeks.

"All the necessary procedures in this regard have been completed and we'll come to know by Monday when the aircraft will arrive in Dhaka," a senior Biman official told UNB.

He said Biman has struck a deal with Nigerian origin Kabo Air for taking the aircraft from it on lease.

The aircraft will be delivered under 'wet lease' system under which all the staff and crewmembers will be provided by Kabo Air. Biman will simply supply fuel. Set up in February 1980, Kabo Air started operations in April 1981.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/03/09/news0694.htm

I'm not so keen for renting anything from the African continent save for SA. This is no race bias rather the history of poor maintenance (record) of airliners, especially Nigeria. What Biman could find any 747s from any reputable leasing company? Of course, that will be the case when you want to do things on the cheap.

I'm not so keen for renting anything from the African continent save for SA. This is no race bias rather the history of poor maintenance (record) of airliners, especially Nigeria. What Biman could find any 747s from any reputable leasing company? Of course, that will be the case when you want to do things on the cheap.

I second your opinion!

However, Kabo Air is known to be one of the 'better' African private airline with safety records way better than the others. Apparently they have 2x 747-100s and 5x 747-200s in their fleet of which one 747-100 (cn 109) and one 747-200 (cn 134) are stored.

I'll see if I can dig up some more information regarding the specific frame Biman is picking up! :)

I second your opinion!

However, Kabo Air is known to be one of the 'better' African private airline with safety records way better than the others. Apparently they have 2x 747-100s and 5x 747-200s in their fleet of which one 747-100 (cn 109) and one 747-200 (cn 134) are stored.

I'll see if I can dig up some more information regarding the specific frame Biman is picking up! :)

Well, that sounds a little reassuring, but I should say that a prayer becomes compulsory now, for every soul on board of these birds!

Well, that sounds a little reassuring, but I should say that a prayer becomes compulsory now, for every soul on board of these birds!

And these prayers should be printed in Bangla over the windows and the overhead baggage hold exterior all across the plane along with other 'statutory' messages such as 'pocket shabdhan' and 'malamal nij dayitte rakhiben'...just like the way you see them here on the local buses! ;)

And these prayers should be printed in Bangla over the windows and the overhead baggage hold exterior all across the plane along with other 'statutory' messages such as 'pocket shabdhan' and 'malamal nij dayitte rakhiben'...just like the way you see them here on the local buses! ;)

:lol:


what about "500/100 Bhangti nai" ie- for duty free shopping.
I forgot the actual phrases but something like- "Choloman obosthay chaloker shathe kotha bola nished" & "Bebohare e bongsho porichoy"

Then, there is the special seat allocation of ladies beside the driver (usually 4/5) How odd and seclusive is that! This would imply that the F/J seats would be reserved for the ladies. <Now that's unfair :)

:lol:


what about "500/100 Bhangti nai" ie- for duty free shopping.
I forgot the actual phrases but something like- "Choloman obosthay chaloker shathe kotha bola nished" & "Bebohare e bongsho porichoy"

Then, there is the special seat allocation of ladies beside the driver (usually 4/5) How odd and seclusive is that! This would imply that the F/J seats would be reserved for the ladies. <Now that's unfair :)

Sounds like a Bangla version of "Airplane III" in the making. :lol:

The country's biggest airport Zia International Airport (ZIA) will wear a new look by the end of this year as the government pledges to end hassles for travellers, a special aide to the chief adviser said Sunday.

"ZIA will have a completely different look by 2008," Mahbub Jamil, chief adviser's special aide on civil aviation, told a luncheon meeting in the city.

"We may not have airports as big as JFK, Heathrow or Hong Kong ... But it's possible to provide services of international standard at Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet airports," he said.

As the first step to improve services at ZIA by March, Jamil said air travelers will find their luggage arriving at conveyer belts in just seven to 10 minutes after getting off the planes.

Hassle in baggage handling, harassment by customs and immigration officials and other irregularities have become a regular phenomenon at ZIA, with frequent flyers calling the situation 'nightmarish.'

To streamline ZIA's operations, Jamil said he was leading an effort to bring the activities of some 22 government agencies operating at the airport under a 'single umbrella' to improve its services, while reducing passengers' harassment.

"You know immigration officials are under home ministry, customs officials are under the revenue board. So, the civil aviation authority has no control over them. That has made the situation difficult to deal with," Jamil, also a business personality, told foreign investors.

He said the ministry has prepared a report, recommending ways to improve ZIA's services and he pledged to carry out actions in line with the suggestions.

Jamil, who also heads the board of directors of state-owned Biman, said he would quit his post after pushing through a strategy to make the national carrier 'profitable'.

The government turned Biman into a public limited company last year and last month reconstituted its board to turnaround the ailing national carrier. Jamil is heading the 10-member board.

"As soon as Biman prepares strategy to make it profitable, I will discard the post of Biman's chief. No minister should be the Biman's head as four private airliners are already operating in the country," he told the business audience.

Biman incurred a cumulative loss of around 200 million dollars in the 2005-6 and 2006-7 fiscal years. It had to cut at least five international and two domestic routes to stem the losses.

Experts said the national carrier can see profit only after it replaces its fuel-guzzling fleet with latest energy efficient aircraft, as some 70 per cent of Biman's losses are due to fuel inefficiency of its age-old aircraft.

The civil aviation ministry chief said the national flag carrier was negotiating directly with the international aircraft makers to procure latest planes in a transparent process.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=27617

any news on today's board meeting of Biman?

Biman leases Boeing-747 from Nigeria

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd has taken out a lease on a Boeing 747-200 from a Nigeria based airlines in a bid to minimise the disruptions in flight schedules.

"The 542-seater aircraft from Kabo Air Ltd will arrive at Zia International Airport by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," a Biman high official told The Daily Star.

The national flag carrier has been facing serious troubles in maintaining flight schedules due to acute shortage of aircraft for quite some time now. With the new airbus, the number of Biman's aircraft will rise to 12.

Under the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) lease process, the Kabo Air will provide all staffs and crew of the wide-body aircraft while Biman will supply fuel.

The leased aircraft will serve Biman for at least six months and its lease might be extended after that, following a negotiation between the two sides.

"Under the lease condition, Biman will have to pay $5,300 to Kabo Air Ltd for per block hour (every flying hour from take-off to landing)," a Biman official said.

"We have sought overfly permission from Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen and India as the leased aircraft will have to use the skies of those countries to land at ZIA," the Biman official said adding that rest of the formalities is already completed.

Set up in February 1980, Kabo Air Ltd started operations in April 1981, shows its profile.

Biman currently owns three types of aircraft -- four DC10-30s, four F28s, and three A310-300s.

Of those, only four or five can fly every day, while the rest are grounded due to technical glitches.

Earlier on July 2007, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd purchased an Airbus A-310 from US-based Crane International at $12.4 million.

The 220-seater, now considered to be the backbone of the Biman fleet, was earlier leased to Biman on October 22, 2003 for four years.

Biman had to pay Crane International $0.25 million a month for the aircraft at that time.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=27013

Biman leases Boeing-747 from Nigeria


any thoughts on this development?

^^ I think there has been some discussion about it in some of the posts above. African nations have a history of shabby maintenance records. Nigeria is well known for rampant corruption. I personally don't have a very high hope for the plane Biman is leasing. But, let's see if they can make it work.

I am not fond of these really old gas guzzling junk planes to begin with. I've heard of numerous reports on GMG's 747 getting stalled on technical grounds causing massive delays. Biman took the decision probably based on cheap lease price compare to other reputable company such as IFLC.

Lets see if they can make it work.