Bangladesh national airline scraps New York flights to save cash

DHAKA, July 29, 2006 (AFP) - Cash-strapped national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended Saturday flights to New York in a bid to cut massive losses and said it plans to halt services to other international destinations soon.

"The last Biman flight to New York flew today. With this flight, we've suspended all our flights to New York to reduce our losses," Biman's spokesman Khan Mosharraf Hossain told AFP.

"The company used to lose 10.4 million taka (149,210 dollars) for every flight to New York. And the loss was getting bigger because of our ageing aircraft and soaring cost of aviation fuel," he said.

State-run Biman would also soon suspend flights to Frankfurt, Paris and Yangon under its cost-cutting measures, he added, but did not say exactly when.

Biman racked up a record loss of more than 120 million dollars in the financial year ended June 30, 2006 due to higher fuel and maintenance costs. In the previous year it lost 41 million dollars.

Officials said the company was also set to incur huge losses in the current financial year because of increasing jet fuel prices and a jump in the cost of fleet maintenance.

Biman currently travels to more than two dozen international destinations with five DC-10 aircraft that are at least 20 years old, four Airbus 310s bought in the early 1990s and three Fokker F-28 aircraft.

Earlier in May Biman launched a move to find a "strategic partner" in an effort to return to profitability but so far no regional airlines have come forward, an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Under any deal, a strategic partner would manage Biman and supply aircraft in exchange for access to the national flag carrier's guaranteed destinations.

Last October, Biman's board approved a sale of a 61 percent stake in the company to private investors in an effort to raise money to buy new aircraft for its dilapidated fleet.

Bangladesh carrier seeks strategic partner

DHAKA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines is looking for an international strategic partner in a bid to rescue the loss-making national carrier.

Biman has projected a 6.91 billion taka ($99.13 million) loss for the year to next June, hit by soaring fuel prices, and owes 12 billion taka ($172.2 million) to state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corp. (BPC), the only fuel supplier to local airlines.

Managing Director Abdul Momen told Reuters the airline had launched a tender for a partner from "internationally reputed airlines".

"If we get a suitable partner, Biman can come back to form," Momen said, adding the tender would close by Oct. 11.

Biman's financial position meant it could not get back five planes -- two DC-10s, one Airbus and two Fokker F-28s -- it recently sent abroad for repairs by foreign airlines.

Left with just eight aircraft, Biman has had to cut some of its 25 international flights, and officials warned of further cuts to come.

In May, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir said the government would sell a 61 percent stake in Biman through an initial public offering, listing the shares on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges.

I guess they'll retain links with Britain though? A real shame... I hope someone comes forward to help them.

Pilots at Bangladesh's troubled national carrier demand their pay

DHAKA, Sept 3, 2006 (AFP) - More than 50 pilots from Bangladesh's financially troubled national carrier Biman protested Sunday in the capital to demand payment of their salaries and a 95-million-dollar government bailout.

"Curb corruption, rescue Biman," they chanted, pledging to stage more protests along with other unions later Sunday as the national carrier announced it would cancel flights to Paris and Frankfurt to save cash.

"We want regular payments. Last month, we got salary for 20 days. This month, we don't know whether we will get the salaries at all," said Sayeed Mahmud Helal, general secretary of Biman's pilot association.

"We want a curb on corruption as nearly 6,000 Biman employees are suffering because of the corruption of a few people," he said.

Biman racked up a record loss of more than 120 million dollars in the financial year ended June 30, 2006, due to higher fuel and maintenance costs. In the previous year, the carrier lost 41 million dollars.

The pilot's association Sunday called for a 95-million-dollar government bailout to rescue the carrier and keep it under state control.

Last week, Biman launched an international hunt for strategic partners among the world's leading airlines to save the carrier.

Biman said a partner would manage and supply aircraft in exchange for access to the national flag carrier's dozens of international destinations, and might even be offered an equity stake.

Biman operates 155 domestic and 25 international flights a week with five DC-10 aircraft that are at least 20 years old, four Airbus 310s bought in the early 1990s and three Fokker F-28 aircraft.

I guess they'll retain links with Britain though? A real shame... I hope someone comes forward to help them.
http://www.bimanair.com/destinations/world_map.jpg

According to their website, they fly to the UK, and the New York route is still on there even though it's not on the schedule.

There is very little hope for this airline, if any. There is rampant corruption at all levels and that drains a lot of money from the airline. I have heard that at times people (passengers) are turned away (saying the flight is completely sold out) if they refuse to pay bribes and in the end the planes fly way below capacity (sometimes half empty or worse). Unless the corruption is checked, I doubt anything can be done.

The passenger pool available to this airline is huge and increasing every year. Unfortunately, the passengers are taken away by other operators such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and other airlines. All these other airlines have greatly increased their frequency to the Dhaka airport.

Is it Bangladesh that ranked number one in the survey which ranks countries by prevailence of government corruption or was it Sri Lanka?

Bangladesh....I remember a professor showing us a chart of the most corrupt countries and Bangladesh was numero uno..

This is really sad news considering that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is Bangladesh's largest, if not only, major airline.

As I read in wikipedia:
Air Bangladesh has only one aircraft. Moreover, this aircraft is banned in the E.U.
Bismillah Airlines is a freighter service airline.
GMG Airlines only operates three Bombardier aircraft.
Z-Airways & Services is, obviously, a very small airline due to the lack of even an article regarding it at wikipedia.

This is really sad news considering that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is Bangladesh's largest, if not only, major airline.

As I read in wikipedia:
Air Bangladesh has only one aircraft. Moreover, this aircraft is banned in the E.U.
Bismillah Airlines is a freighter service airline.
GMG Airlines only operates three Bombardier aircraft.
Z-Airways & Services is, obviously, a very small airline due to the lack of even an article regarding it at wikipedia.

Yeah it is sad. I think there is huge potential for an airline in the country IF it can make adequate investment in airliners (good ones, not old junk that the FAA and the EU will reject permits for). Along with that, the government would also have to scale back the invasion of foreign airlines so that the new airline has some breathing room initially to develop and grow. Lastly, the country has to be more stable and the workers and unions will have to be patient and not disrupt services of the airline or the airport as that is very damaging not only in terms of revenue but image as well.

That would probably be a good starting point. Some of that might be possible if a foreign partner can be found. Maybe they can whip some of the people into shape and inject the necessary investments into aircraft and such, which can be daunting for local investors.

Does Bangladesh have the potential? Like, hell yeah! I mean, it has like, what, a hundred and forty million people! Bangladesh is one of the largest nations in the world. The potential scheduled air traffic passenger market is huge! With that premise established, Bangladesh is perhaps one of the least served air traffic markets in the world.

Oh, and I have to agree with you on the notion that Biman's pilots would need to be more patient. I mean, it'll only get worse if they'll have a strike since Biman will suffer even more losses.

Imho, however, the problems of corruption is stemmed and/or rooted in a certain country's culture.

Does Bangladesh have the potential? Like, hell yeah! I mean, it has like, what, a hundred and forty million people! Bangladesh is one of the largest nations in the world. The potential scheduled air traffic passenger market is huge! With that premise established, Bangladesh is perhaps one of the least served air traffic markets in the world.

Oh, and I have to agree with you on the notion that Biman's pilots would need to be more patient. I mean, it'll only get worse if they'll have a strike since Biman will suffer even more losses.

Imho, however, the problems of corruption is stemmed and/or rooted in a certain country's culture.


There is no question that the country does have potential. There is a lot getting in the way of realizing that potential. And, yes, the problems of corruption are often stemmed/rooted in a country's or society's culture but that doesn't make it acceptable. Something has to be done sooner rather than later to root out the corruption or at least bring it under some control.

Resuce plan for ailing Bangladesh airline amid job loss fears

DHAKA, Feb 20, 2007 (AFP) - Bangladesh government officials have been given 10 days to come up with a rescue plan for the country's ailing national carrier amid fears of massive job losses, an airline chief said Tuesday.

In the year to last June, Biman Bangladesh Airlines racked up losses of over 120 million due to higher fuel and maintenance costs.

"The government has formed a high-powered committee led by the civil aviation secretary to suggest ways to make Biman profitable. The committee will have 10 days to come up with a plan," said the airline's managing director M.A Momen.

"The committee will suggest new route plans for the airline and how to clear Biman's massive debt of nearly 15 billion taka (217 million dollars) to the state-owned petroleum company," he said.

Momen did not say whether job cuts were expected although a private news agency said Tuesday some 2,000 employees could face the axe.

Biman has a workforce of more than 5,000.

The move came as Momen said the company would incur losses of nearly 58 million dollars in the year ending in June 30. Losses in the year to June 2005 were 41 million dollars.

Last weekend, Biman cut all but three of its domestic flights in attempt to stem the company's financial crisis.

Last year the airline also suspended flights to Tokyo, New York, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and Mumbai.

It now travels to just 20 international destinations with five DC-10 aircraft that are at least 20 years old, four Airbus 310s bought in the early 1990s and four Fokker F-28 aircraft.

The company last year launched a move to find a "strategic partner" in an effort to return to profitability but so far no regional airlines have come forward.

Under any deal, a strategic partner would manage Biman and supply aircraft in exchange for access to the national flag carrier's guaranteed destinations.

Bangladesh Govt to Sack 2,500 Biman Airline Workers: Report

DHAKA, May 10 Asia Pulse - Bangladesh's embattled state-owned airline Biman Bangladesh is set for a major shake-up with reports claiming the nation's interim government is poised to retrench 2,500 employees as part of plans to transform the flag-carrier into a public company.

According to an article in The New Nation, the staff will be stood down in two phases, with 1,500 scheduled to be dismissed in June.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has already sought Tk 5 billion (US$72.4 million) from the Ministry of Finance to fund the retrenchments.

The remaining 1,000 workers will be stood down from Biman's services division at a later date, the newspaper said.

Biman's aging fleet have been involved in a string of safety incidents, the most recent of which saw 14 people injured when the nose gear of a Airbus A310-300 collapsed prior to takeoff. Since 2004 Biman has been forced to write off a DC-10 and a Fokker F-28 due to accidents.

The company also owes approximately US$174 million to the nation's state-owned fuel supplier Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.

In light of these problems, the caretaker government appointed a committee to suggest ways to reduce the growing losses of Biman, and transform it into a competitive airliine. The latest retrenchment plans stem from the committee's urgent recommendation that Biman's 5,500 strong workforce be slashed by 50 per cent.

The caretaker government will seek access to World Bank funds to help bankroll the retrenchment program, The New Nation reports.

Int'l airports warn BA against erratic flight schedule
The Press Trust of India Limited

Dhaka, Nov 2 (PTI) Bangladesh's national flag carrier, Biman Airlines, has come under censure from foreign aviation authorities, including Heathrow airport, for repeatedly failing to maintain flight schedules.

The authorities have also warned the airlines of not granting slots if it failed to be punctual.

In an e-mail to Biman, the slot coordination committee of British Airways Authority (BAA) has said, "Data in the attached spreadsheet shows that punctuality of BG (two-letter code for Biman Bangladesh Airlines) flights during summer 2007 has been on average over three hours late, which is more than three time worse than any other carrier at Heathrow." Quoting the email, the 'Daily Star' reported that Britain's Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest international airport, has asked Biman to use the comparatively less busy landing facilities in Stansted and Gatwick if it wanted to continue to operate in London.

The email also said that Biman should not expect any slot to be available in the pool for summer 2008.

Several other airport authorities including Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait and Rome have also warned the airliner to be punctual or that they would impose fines and scrap agreements on slots, the prescribed timing for arriving and departure of flights.

Dubai International Airport in a recent letter to Biman, while complaining that its failure to maintain flight schedule hampered arrivals and departures of other airliners, has asked it to regularise its slot or be exposed to fines or cancellation of slots. Whether domestic or local, Biman cannot fly to its destination on time and four-five hours' flight delay has become a normal event, a Biman high official told the newspaper.

"They [busy airport like Heathrow, Dubai] have to hold aircraft both in the sky and on the ground for our delay. Biman needed more aircraft otherwise the situation will not improve," the official admitted.

On July 7, around 200 Biman passengers were stranded at the Zia International Airport (ZIA) as the flight scheduled to carry them was delayed by 39 hours due to technical glitches and lack of planes.

Two days later, another Biman flight, this time to London, was delayed for about a day at ZIA due to technical problems. In July and August the situation worsened so much that flights were delayed 20-39 hours and flights had to be cancelled.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines with a fleet of five DC-10s, three Airbuses and four F-28s turned into the country's largest public limited company in July this year after incurring cumulative losses over the years as a state-run entity.

Bangladesh gets fourth private passenger airline

DHAKA, Oct 13, 2007 (AFP) - A fourth private airline is set to take off in Bangladesh amid a boom in the air travel market following the scrapping of flights by the state-run airline, an official said Saturday.

Royal Bengal Airlines, owned by London-based Bangladeshi expatriates, will start flying domestic routes within four weeks and a London-Dhaka flight via the Middle East would begin by year end, said the company's director Abdus Shukur.

The airline has purchased one Dash-8 aircraft and will add another within a month to operate flights to southeastern Chittagong and notheastern Sylhet from the capital Dhaka, he said.

It was also negotiating with a London-based airline to lease a 400-seater Boeing 747 to operate long-haul flights, he added.

"We see a booming air travel market in Bangladesh and the market is very much under-served," Shukur said.

He said the cancellation of domestic and international flights by the cash-strapped Biman Bangladesh airlines had opened up "lucrative opportunities for the private operators."

"It's a golden time for the private airlines. The number of air passengers are growing at a double-digit rate. Yet Biman is scrapping one after another of its routes," he said.

Royal Bengal will be the fourth Bangladeshi private passenger airline. Presently United Airlines and GMG are operating, with GMG flying to both domestic and international destinations.

In March, Kuwait-based Aqeeq Aviation Holding bought a 70 per cent stake in the leading air-cargo operator Best Aviation in order to start another passenger airline although it has yet to launch its services.

Biman racked up record losses of more than 100 million dollars in the financial year ended June 30, 2007 because of higher fuel and maintenance costs. In the previous year it lost 120 million dollars.

Biman this year stopped all but three of its domestic routes after suspending flights to Tokyo, New York, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and Mumbai in a bid to cut costs.

Bangladesh's Biman to buy 8 Boeing planes for 1.26 billion dollars

DHAKA, March 10, 2008 (AFP) - Bangladesh's ailing national carrier Biman will buy eight new Boeing aircraft for 1.26 billion dollars as part of a fleet overhaul to help make the airline profitable, a minister said on Monday.

"We want to give a new face to Biman," Civil Aviation Minister Mahbub Jamil told reporters.

US planemaker Boeing edged out European rival Airbus for the contract to supply the planes to state-owned Biman, which has been posting huge financial losses and is facing fierce competition from smaller, private rivals.

"Biman's board has decided to procure four Boeing 777-300ER and four 787-8 aircraft as part of the fleet overhaul," the minister said.

"Our aim is to make Biman profitable by the next financial year. Already we hope it will break even this year... as we've made it more efficient," he said.

The eight aircraft will bring Biman Bangladesh Airline Ltd's fleet strength to 20.

Biman has already laid off 2,000 workers, plans to axe 2,000 more posts and has suspended eight loss-making international flights and four domestic routes under its restructuring drive.

"The eight new aircraft will cost 1.26 billion dollars with each 777-300ER costing 182 million dollars and 787-8 plane 133 million dollars. We'll sign a preliminary agreement by March 15. A final deal will be signed by April 15," Jamil said.

Boeing will hand over the 463-seat 777-3003R between July and August 2013 and the 294-seat 787-8 between July-December 2017, Jamil said.

Biman's board reviewed bids from both Airbus and Boeing, but chose the US company as it proposed to train pilots, upgrade airports and help in engineering and marketing for Biman as part of the deal, Jamil said.

"But Biman will negotiate with Airbus next month for procuring short-haul aircraft," he said.

Biman posted a record loss of more than 120 million dollars for the financial year ending June 2006 and is expected to announce a 100 million dollar loss for the following financial year on soaring global fuel prices and higher-than-expected maintenance costs.

"It's the first time in Biman's 35-year history that the national flag carrier is purchasing aircraft directly from the manufacturer and it's being done transparently," Jamil said.

Critics have said prevous aircraft purchase deals were shady.

Bangladesh's military-backed government took power in January 2007, pledging to clean up the country's notorious corruption before reinstating democracy later this year.

The national carrier started in 1972 with a vintage Dakota DC-3 aircraft, less than a month after the South Asian nation won independence from Pakistan. Its current fleet includes five 20-year-old DC-10 planes which officials say must be replaced within a few years.

Before the new planes are delivered, Boeing will lease Biman four used 777-300 ER in 2009 and 2010 and four used 787-8 in 2011-12 to help the airline cope with a growing passenger load.

Jamil said the Boeing plane purchases will be financed by the US Export-Import Bank and a syndicate of local banks.

^^

suppose they'll plan a livery maquillage

Bangladesh's Biman eyes giant bailout partners: report
18 September 2008
Agence France Presse

Biman Bangladesh Airlines wants one of four top international air companies to bail the ailing national carrier out of its financial troubles, a local media report said Thursday.

Biman is hoping Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways or Thai Airways will become a strategic partner of state-owned Biman, the bdnews24 website said.

"Singapore Airlines and Emirates would be our priority," the website quoted director Zial Huq Mamun as saying, adding that Biman wanted one of the foreign airlines to either take a stake in it or manage its operations.

But Singapore Airlines spokesman Stephen Forshaw told AFP in a statement that his company was not interested in a partnership with Biman.

"Representatives of Biman have approached us and we have indicated that our focus now is on the business fundamentals in a high-fuel-cost and weaker economic climate," he said.

"We will look at mutually beneficial commercial opportunities, but we will not be moving to take equity and the reasons for that have been explained to Biman."

Biman, which ordered 10 Boeing aircraft earlier this year representing the largest capital expenditure in the country's history, posted a 12 million dollar loss in the past financial year.

Bangladesh's Biman eyes giant bailout partners: report
18 September 2008
Agence France Presse

Biman Bangladesh Airlines wants one of four top international air companies to bail the ailing national carrier out of its financial troubles, a local media report said Thursday.

Biman is hoping Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways or Thai Airways will become a strategic partner of state-owned Biman, the bdnews24 website said.

"Singapore Airlines and Emirates would be our priority," the website quoted director Zial Huq Mamun as saying, adding that Biman wanted one of the foreign airlines to either take a stake in it or manage its operations.

But Singapore Airlines spokesman Stephen Forshaw told AFP in a statement that his company was not interested in a partnership with Biman.

"Representatives of Biman have approached us and we have indicated that our focus now is on the business fundamentals in a high-fuel-cost and weaker economic climate," he said.

"We will look at mutually beneficial commercial opportunities, but we will not be moving to take equity and the reasons for that have been explained to Biman."

Biman, which ordered 10 Boeing aircraft earlier this year representing the largest capital expenditure in the country's history, posted a 12 million dollar loss in the past financial year.

This director seems to be very "intelligent"....only an immature executive like the person above would make a comment that SIA and Emirates would be preferred over the others.....as if they have nothing better to do but save an airline company which will take ages to come back to profitability...shows that he knows nothing abt running an airline!!

Bangladesh airline boosts fleet with leased Boeings

DHAKA, Feb 3 (Reuters) - State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines received two of five new generation Boeing aircraft expected for its fleet on Wednesday in order to expand operations, officials said.

The Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 737-800 acquired on lease from EuroAtlantic Airways and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) respectively have raised the Biman fleet strength to 13 aircraft.

The two planes have been commissioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for an interim period.

"Another Boeing 737-800 leased from GECAS and a Boeing 310-300 being leased from ILFC (International Lease Finance Corp) are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka soon while the third Boeing 777-200ER is to arrive in Dhaka early next month," a statement from Biman said.

Details of the lease were not available.

Next year the company will start to receive an additional eight aircraft it bought from Boeing in a $1.27 billion deal in April 2008. Under the deal Boeing will deliver four 777-300ERs between 2011 and 2013 and the rest four 373-800s by 2020.

These aircraft will improve the fleet strength, increase flight frequency and resume operation on some suspended routes including New York, the statement said.

"These will also help expand services in some new destinations including Tokyo and other spots in Australia and Europe," Biman spokesman Shah Waliul Manzoor told Reuters.

In 2006 the loss-making company was forced to halt its flights to New York, Paris, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Brussels, Yangon and Mumbai due to a shortage of funds and aircraft.

Biman became a public limited company in July 2008 and new management was brought in last year.

In the first quarter of 2009-10 (July-October) its profit reached over $5 million.

^^ I think the 777s should replace the DC-10s one-to-one; while the 738s should be reinstanted to the Gulf. I think the DOH-DAC flight has 2 stops in it with a DC-10!

New routes should NOT be added; the whole point in changing the fleet is to have a reliable aircraft and fix the retarted schedules and delays!

I have seen DC-10 Biman planes in Heathrow, never been in one though and have to avoid this airline

on saturday, BG is starting 3x week DAC-LHR direct flights and 1x DAC-DXB-LHR with the newly leased B777 aircraft, its a good start I guess :)

^^ I think the 777s should replace the DC-10s one-to-one; while the 738s should be reinstanted to the Gulf. I think the DOH-DAC flight has 2 stops in it with a DC-10!

New routes should NOT be added; the whole point in changing the fleet is to have a reliable aircraft and fix the retarted schedules and delays!

I agree on that, they have to resume the suspended routes first, such as Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai, NewYork, Paris, Frankfurt etc.

BTW, Bangkok, Manchester, New York, and Delhi resumes on march.

I see...

Viability of Bangladesh Biman
7 October 2010
The Financial Express

Bangladesh, Oct. 7 -- Syed Jamaluddin

Biman is likely to resume its New York flight to meet the government pledge despite fears of losses. Last time Biman counted a loss of Tk 3.5/4.0 million (35/40 lakhs) on each flight between Dhaka and New York. Biman in August 2006 shut its flights to New York along with Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Narita and Yangon in the wake of aircraft shortage and a record loss of Tk 4.54 billion (454 crores) in 2005/06 fiscal year. The national flag carrier made profit in 2007/08 after a lapse of four years. Such a performance is very rare in public sector organisations in Bangladesh. The credit goes to the caretaker government for this achievement.

Insiders say the airliner plans to reopen flights on loss-incurring Dhaka-New York route in line with the decision of the Prime Minister who assured expatriate Bangladeshis in New York that Biman's flight would resume in 2011. Biman authorities have informed the government of the risk of losses for reopening the New York flights and urged the government for support either in the form of compensation or fuel subsidy. Biman is now completing various formalities for opening the New York flight. It is not understood how Biman will be viable if decisions are taken to operate in the loss-making sectors.

Aircraft leasing is a fairly common strategy practised by most airlines. It reduces investment significantly. Nearly 40% of all aircraft with the airlines have been acquired on lease. But hardly any airline acquires aircraft on wet lease, simply because they have the capability to provide all the components required for operation like crew, maintenance, network and many other associated services developed through years.

There is a tendency in Biman to get an aircraft on wet lease basis instead of dry lease basis. Payment in wet lease is to be made on hourly basis while in dry lease, on monthly basis. There is a published dry-lease rate for different types of aircraft depending on date of manufacture and configuration, but there is no such reliable information on wet lease. A wet-lease aircraft has to be operated for a minimum guaranteed hours, whereas the use of the dry-leased aircraft is at the operator's discretion. Wet leasing is obviously more expensive.

Acquisition of aircraft on wet lease is done to address short-term capacity crisis. But in our airline, acquisition of aircraft on wet lease has become a regular practice. Support package for wet-lease aircraft always comes at a higher price. It is said that the airline is bleeding because of the wet-leased aircraft. They are becoming increasingly more expensive to operate. Viability of the airline cannot be expected under such circumstances.

Biman is one of the worst performing airlines in the world. Much remains to be done to regain its commercial viability lost due to poor planning, corruption and mismanagement. Biman could not even capitalise on its captive Hajj market. All the airlines flying to and from Dhaka, except our ill-fated national carrier, are doing good business. More airlines are trying to open routes from Bangladesh. This is because more passengers are available.

Rivalry between the minister, parliamentary standing committee, secretary and chairman of the board of directors of Biman has made the situation chaotic. The parliamentary committee has reportedly complained to the Prime Minister against the Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism. The minister has also sought the intervention of the Prime Minister in his dispute with the members of the standing committee. The chairman of the board of directors has contradicted the minister about corruption in Biman. It is said that the Biman board of directors does not comply with the directives of the ministry. The ministry cannot take action against Biman employees because of legal complexities. It appears that there is no chain of command in the ministry/Biman for smooth running of the organisation. According to the Minister, there is a public demand for opening more domestic routes but Biman does not take interest in these matters.

Biman is losing passengers and going down in respect of management, efficiency and image because of poor delivery of services. It is losing money because of alleged corruption. Biman should not be flying the old aircrafts which are not viable. These aircrafts should have been phased out long ago but this was not done for lack of vision. Procurement of new aircraft is a complex matter in Biman.

Biman employees created problems for higher pay and other benefits. But Biman has not been providing good services. Employees have a responsibility to cater to the needs of the passengers. Biman is a highly overstaffed organisation without any regard for human resources development. Pay hike or benefit of any kind has to be commensurate with employees' performance.

There should be no dearth of passengers for Biman. Workers flying to the Middle East, Singapore and Malaysia are all willing to use Biman and they are doing so. We have virtually a captive market in London. But many of our VIP passengers travel by other airlines as they apparently do not rely on Biman. If Biman can operate on schedule and provide comparable facilities, it will not have to worry about passengers. Moreover, passengers from Kolkata, Nepal, Bhutan and north-eastern states of India will find it convenient to fly long distance via Dhaka.

More and more airlines from the Middle East have been operating from Dhaka. This is because they are getting plenty of passengers. There is no reason why Biman cannot have a share in this expanding market. If we can build up reputation, more and more people from Bangladesh will fly Biman. We will hardly need passengers from other nationalities. But Biman should not spread its wings to unprofitable destinations.

Biman is plagued with too many issues - from flying to baggage management. Biman's problems have been highlighted in the media and in discussions at various levels. But no solution has yet been found. Unless the problems of Biman are resolved, the airlines cannot operate successfully. Decisive action is needed for overhauling the Biman management.

Some time back the Prime Minister took an initiative for revamping the airline but it is not known why this has not been followed up. This may be under process in the Prime Minister' Office (PMO). Making Biman viable and dependable is a challenge of this government. This is in line with their commitment of the Charter of Change,

The writer is an economist and columnist.

BANGLADESH EXTENDS PILOT RETIREMENT AGE TO MEET SHORTAGES

DHAKA, Nov 1 Asia Pulse - Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said international standards will be complied with in providing benefits to the pilots of Bangladesh Biman, who will be in service for an extended period of five years, following an extension of their retirement age from 57 to 62 years.

PM Hasina, after holding separate problem-shooting meetings at Ganobhaban with the Civil Aviation Minister and a 16-member Biman Airlines Pilots Association (BAPA), said the service age of the pilots has been extended in view of the shortage of manpower.

On the demands of the BAPA, the Prime Minister said the matters which are pending before the court will be settled by the court, and other issues will have to be settled through discussion between the civil aviation authorities and the BAPA leadership.

Referring to abstention of work by the pilots, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh Biman is the carrier of national image and prestige and any unpleasant situation or irregularity from BAPA that compromises this is unexpected.

Hasina termed the strike by pilots during the hajj season as unfortunate, when the pilgrims are flying to Saudi Arabia to perform holy hajj. She said pilots strike incurred economic loss, and harmed everyone concerned, including the nation.

BAPA leaders expressed their regret to the Prime Minister for the unpleasant situation created due to their actions.

They mentioned their contribution to the war of liberation in 1971, saying that they deserted the All Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association in 1969 and formed the East Pakistan Airlines Pilot Association

They said 19 pilots had joined the war of liberation in 1971 and four embraced martyrdom.

The BAPA leaders assured the Prime Minister that such unpleasant situation would not be created in the future.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Qader, civil Aviation Secretary Shafique Alam Mehedi and Biman chairman Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Jamal Uddin were present during the meeting with the Prime Minister from 11am to 11-45am.

Later on, the Prime Minister had separate meetings with the 16-member BAPA delegation from 12 noon to 12:45. Capt Alia, Capt Sahana, Capt Tasnin and Capt Estiak were among others present in the meeting.

On Friday night, pilots of Bangladesh Biman Airlines called off their strike and returned to work following assurances from the Prime Minister.

The pilots and the Biman management were locked in a confrontation over benefits including insurance and rehabilitation coverage for pilots aged between 57 and 62 years. The pilots say Bangladesh Biman extended their working age but took away a lot of benefits. The matter is pending in the court.

Last Tuesday, some 46 aggrieved pilots of the national flag carrier applied for sick leave and declined flight duty. The Biman authorities termed the sickness as a deliberate disruption.

As a punitive measure, Biman did not allow four pilots to fly aircrafts from October 26. One pilot was served show cause notice for creating indiscipline and anarchy.

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/488/4881087.html

http://pic.feeyo.com/pic/20100324/201003240119043986.jpg

Aircraft shortage forces Biman to suspend London flights
28 February 2011
Bangladesh Monitor

DHAKA, Feb. 28 -- Shortage of aircraft has forced Biman Bangladesh Airlines to suspend its direct flights to London indefinitely. Resumption of popular direct flights on the route is totally uncertain at the moment.

Biman had resumed direct flight on the Dhaka-London route on February 6 last year after a break of 12 years. The flights had to be called off following withdrawal by Euro Atlantic Airways of its leased Boeing B777-220 on expiry of the lease on February 3.

However, the five other flight to London of the airline via Dubai every week will remain operational. Of those, two flights will be operated on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Dubai-London route, Biman said.

Biman officials hope to resume direct flights on the route in April with the inclusion of two Boeing aircraft to the airline's existing fleet.

They said the national carrier signed an agreement with the Euro Atlantic Airways in November 2009 to hire two Boeing aircraft for four years.

Biman received one aircraft from the airline on February 3 last year on one-year wet lease, which means the lessee must bear the costs of the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, followed by a three-year dry lease.

Biman later scrapped the deal with the company that failed to provide the national carrier with the second aircraft on time.

Biman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Zakiul Islam said, "We had an option to use the aircraft on dry lease. But we could not do so for a hefty registration fee."

Biman has entered into another agreement with the Pacific Air-craft Lease Management, USA to get two aircraft under the Aircraft Crew Maintenance and Insurance, Biman officials said.

The airline also published advertisement for leasing two Boeing aircraft to resume direct flights to New York, which were suspended in 2006 due to shortage of aircraft.

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/490/4909384.html

http://pic.feeyo.com/pic/20100411/201004110856584361.jpg

new Biman 773 in Seattle Boeing Field

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=1080773

WOW the new livery is amazing cant beileve that this is biman any pics of the interior

Biman Airlines open Milan Malpensa-Dhaka:

Originally Posted By michyh87

finalmente

As per 19SEP11 GDS timetable and inventory display, BIMAN Bangaladesh Airlines is set to introduce NEW Boeing 777-300ER aircraft starting November 2011, which will operate service to Europe at initial stage.

Dhaka - Rome - Milan Malpensa - Dhaka

*Rome: Increase from 1 to 2 weekly, Dubai stop eliminated
*Milan Malpensa: NEW 1 weekly service from 31OCT11, increasing to 2 from 28NOV11

BG055 DAC0930 - 1440FCO 777 15
BG056 FCO1630 - 1745MXP1915 - 0930+1DAC 777 15

BG056 Day 5 service from 04NOV11 to 25NOV11 operates:
BG056 FCO1630 - 0610+1DAC 777 5

http://airlineroute.net/2011/09/19/bg-77w-w11/
Configuration of the Boeing 777-300ER is 35 Business Class seats and 384 Economy Class seats.

How old is their new B777-300?

any pics of the interior

look fwd to see it !

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/9/6/1989692.jpg

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Biman-Bangladesh/Boeing-777-3E9-ER/1989692/L/&sid=14acf71f7f2a48df4cea6bb8e8a3bcc4

damn, beautiful !

Bangladeshi pride!