This thread is a continuation of http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=755472. From now on, I will open a new thread once it reaches 1,000 posts. Now, discuss away !!! :cheers2:

Hi all,

Welcome to the 4th edition. wow!

Does anyone know if United's MD 83 has arrived in DAC yet?

Air Asia accused of leaving passengers in the lurch

A Z M Anas

Air Asia is exploiting passengers' purse as top Asian budget carrier sells online tickets via credit cards, giving travellers no option of a change in travel plan, nor refunds, travel traders have alleged.

The Kuala Lumpur-based airliner, which sells 90 per cent of its air tickets through credit cards and sky agents, is also suspected of evading taxes, aided by electronic system, according to local travel agencies.

They note that the foreign carrier is making off with unknown, but significant windfall behind the backs of Bangladeshi regulators including Revenue Board.

"The low-cost carrier remains least sensitive to travellers' needs," head of Saimon Overseas M. A. Muhaimin Saleh said Monday.

"Its business practice is messy, and questionable. I think, the government should no longer allow any foreign airline to sell tickets online," he added.

Mr Saleh, who also leads 1400-members Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, alleged that they were flooded with myriads complaints from the travellers who get no support from Air Asia.

Sky Bangla Aviation Ltd, a Dhaka-based authorised dealer, declined to make comments.

An official of the agency, however, privately admitted that it received different kinds of requests totalling 100 from Kuala Lumpur-bound passengers last month.

"All of them purchased tickets online using credit cards," he said, without elaborating.

"I failed to change travel timing. Even I was ready to pay additional amount. It's frustrating," said a Bangladeshi passenger who lives in the Malaysian capital city.

While Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia operates in Bangladesh through a General Sales Agent (GSA), industry sources said Air Asia has tapped Sky Bangla just as a dealer, picking no GSA.

The sources said the Malaysian airliner also allowed a handful of sky agents for ticket sale, who are beyond the purview of the government agencies. A sky agent has secured a password from the airline's headquarters by depositing certain amounts.

"No body knows how a sky agent routes sales proceeds to Air Asia," a source said.

Since the airline's operations have drawn little scrutiny, Golam Mostafa, who owns Union Travels, said it is reluctant to operate through a GSA.

Local travel firms also accused Air Asia of underreporting passengers and revenue details, giving it an undue edge over its main competitors.

Including embarkation fees, passengers travelling by Air Asia are supposed to pay Tk 2300 as travel taxes for flying to KL, its operating hub.

At 80 per cent average flight occupancy, travel traders figured out that the malpractice by KL-based airline would cost the government Tk 190 million in revenue losses a year.

The ATAB chief said that the online ticket sales not only eat up travel agencies' earnings, but gives the airline an opportunity to dodge taxes.

The price of each ticket, if snapped up online, is deposited directly to Air Asia's bank accounts, leaving the foreign currency transaction untraced by the government agencies and the central bank as well, said Mr Mostafa.

Air Asia's case provides a "rare glimpse" into how it games the system, thus depriving the government of significant taxes.

Khandakar Muzharul Haque, an executive director of the Bangladesh Bank, had earlier said he was not aware of the business practice of the low-fare carrier and would look into the Air Asia's case.

Air Asia operates 300-plus seater A-320 Airbus flights daily between KL and Dhaka, its 62nd destination.

Each week, an estimated 10,000 passengers fly between Dhaka and the Malaysian capital, making it Bangladesh's major air route.

The Malaysian airline's entry to the Dhaka-KL route has already unleashed a wave of fare war as it has offered ticket prices 40 per cent cheaper than legacy operators.

Travel agencies are not opposed to the operations of low-cost carriers like Air Asia in the Bangladesh market, Mr Mostafa said, adding the airline should do business in a proper way.

"Passengers, especially migrant workers and students, benefit from low fares. But the airline also needs to make sure it pays taxes to the government," he said.

Air Asia serves over 100 routes covering 62 destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, China, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The airline, which posted US$ 135 million in losses in 2008 financial year, has carried over 50 million passengers since its inception in 2001.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/06/23/70680.html

1) Travels agents are complaining about not getting commission.
2) 300 plus on A320? reporter is doing same mistake over and over again.
3) You cant keep every customer happy :)

cheers

err how can United fly without air condition in this summer season?

Air Asia accused of leaving passengers in the lurch

A Z M Anas

Air Asia is exploiting passengers' purse as top Asian budget carrier sells online tickets via credit cards, giving travellers no option of a change in travel plan, nor refunds, travel traders have alleged.

The Kuala Lumpur-based airliner, which sells 90 per cent of its air tickets through credit cards and sky agents, is also suspected of evading taxes, aided by electronic system, according to local travel agencies.

They note that the foreign carrier is making off with unknown, but significant windfall behind the backs of Bangladeshi regulators including Revenue Board.

"The low-cost carrier remains least sensitive to travellers' needs," head of Saimon Overseas M. A. Muhaimin Saleh said Monday.

"Its business practice is messy, and questionable. I think, the government should no longer allow any foreign airline to sell tickets online," he added.

Mr Saleh, who also leads 1400-members Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, alleged that they were flooded with myriads complaints from the travellers who get no support from Air Asia.

Sky Bangla Aviation Ltd, a Dhaka-based authorised dealer, declined to make comments.

An official of the agency, however, privately admitted that it received different kinds of requests totalling 100 from Kuala Lumpur-bound passengers last month.

"All of them purchased tickets online using credit cards," he said, without elaborating.

"I failed to change travel timing. Even I was ready to pay additional amount. It's frustrating," said a Bangladeshi passenger who lives in the Malaysian capital city.

While Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia operates in Bangladesh through a General Sales Agent (GSA), industry sources said Air Asia has tapped Sky Bangla just as a dealer, picking no GSA.

The sources said the Malaysian airliner also allowed a handful of sky agents for ticket sale, who are beyond the purview of the government agencies. A sky agent has secured a password from the airline's headquarters by depositing certain amounts.

"No body knows how a sky agent routes sales proceeds to Air Asia," a source said.

Since the airline's operations have drawn little scrutiny, Golam Mostafa, who owns Union Travels, said it is reluctant to operate through a GSA.

Local travel firms also accused Air Asia of underreporting passengers and revenue details, giving it an undue edge over its main competitors.

Including embarkation fees, passengers travelling by Air Asia are supposed to pay Tk 2300 as travel taxes for flying to KL, its operating hub.

At 80 per cent average flight occupancy, travel traders figured out that the malpractice by KL-based airline would cost the government Tk 190 million in revenue losses a year.

The ATAB chief said that the online ticket sales not only eat up travel agencies' earnings, but gives the airline an opportunity to dodge taxes.

The price of each ticket, if snapped up online, is deposited directly to Air Asia's bank accounts, leaving the foreign currency transaction untraced by the government agencies and the central bank as well, said Mr Mostafa.

Air Asia's case provides a "rare glimpse" into how it games the system, thus depriving the government of significant taxes.

Khandakar Muzharul Haque, an executive director of the Bangladesh Bank, had earlier said he was not aware of the business practice of the low-fare carrier and would look into the Air Asia's case.

Air Asia operates 300-plus seater A-320 Airbus flights daily between KL and Dhaka, its 62nd destination.

Each week, an estimated 10,000 passengers fly between Dhaka and the Malaysian capital, making it Bangladesh's major air route.

The Malaysian airline's entry to the Dhaka-KL route has already unleashed a wave of fare war as it has offered ticket prices 40 per cent cheaper than legacy operators.

Travel agencies are not opposed to the operations of low-cost carriers like Air Asia in the Bangladesh market, Mr Mostafa said, adding the airline should do business in a proper way.

"Passengers, especially migrant workers and students, benefit from low fares. But the airline also needs to make sure it pays taxes to the government," he said.

Air Asia serves over 100 routes covering 62 destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, China, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The airline, which posted US$ 135 million in losses in 2008 financial year, has carried over 50 million passengers since its inception in 2001.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/06/23/70680.html

This should go down as one of this year's crappiest reports. It speaks for the aggrieved travel agencies, at most, who're losing out on their bucks owing to Air Asia.

- No selling of tickets through the Internet? Says who?? Which Mohaimen from wherever again??? Gotta be some cave-man from nowhere!

- Online sales depriving the govt of tax revenues? Whose fault is that?? Air Asia's??? By the way, what actions were taken against Best Air who didn't sell their tickets online and yet deprived NBR of the travel taxes????

- And a 300-plus seater A320? Now, what would it take for me to see one like that...would a couple of bottle of JD suffice??

err how can United fly without air condition in this summer season?

Open windows? ;)

QGR: So you loaned Zoom some cash after having seen the aircraft in question (S2-ADL)?

I bet you found it to be a secured loan because:

(i) you realized that anyone who'd choose to fly that plane would do so with his heart in his hand, and hence would have to be that good a flyer, and wouldn't make the tiniest of mistake while flying it

OR

(ii) your bank had just too much money to keep at the vaults (which is when I should've visited your bank...ughh!).

The Zoom Airways website link given on the last thread resulted into this when I tried to take a look:

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009
Access denied
The requested URL could not be retrieved

While trying to retrieve the URL:

http://www.benisongroup.com/zoom/basic_information.html

The following error was encountered:

The requested object is INFECTED with the following viruses: Trojan-Downloader.JS.Iframe.ald


Please contact your service provider if you consider it incorrect.
Generated:
Tue Jun 23 01:42:04 2009
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009

Good grief!

- And a 300-plus seater A320? Now, what would it take for me to see one like that...would a couple of bottle of JD suffice??

1)
2) 300 plus on A320? reporter is doing same mistake over and over again.

cheers

Air Asia operates 300-plus seater A-320 Airbus flights daily between KL and Dhaka, its 62nd destination.

I think the reporter would have meant about two way

i.e. KL-Dhaka - 189 seats
Dhaka-KL - 189 seats

Totally 378 seat on both the routes

I think the reporter would have meant about two way

i.e. KL-Dhaka - 189 seats
Dhaka-KL - 189 seats

Totally 378 seat on both the routes

That's ridiculous. By saying "300-plus seater A320"...he couldn't possibly be implying added capacity of the two legs! What is more possible for him to have assumed is Airbus A320 = 320 seats...voila!

i had a look at zooms airline website. it seems really tacky. why do they a picture of the Liquidated airline Zooms airlines?

i had a look at zooms airline website. it seems really tacky. why do they a picture of the Liquidated airline Zooms airlines?

Perhaps inspired by the Kyrgyz airline called Trast-Aero who, while having a fleet of 1x BAC 1-11, 1x B707, and 1x IL-18, has a picture of the B787 behind its name-logo on their website!

http://trastaero.com/

1) Travels agents are complaining about not getting commission.
2) 300 plus on A320? reporter is doing same mistake over and over again.
3) You cant keep every customer happy :)

cheers

seems like anyone can become a journalist these days lol

looking at CAAB's website i noticed that Bangladesh gettin another airport in The Bagerhat district. do they really need a airport there?

I am not sure if anyone here has been to St Martins or Marten. i think st marteens can attract many tourist from around the world all it needs is a few decent hotel and a airport. do u not think St Marten can do with a Airport. shouldnt CAAB or MoCAT do something.

looking at CAAB's website i noticed that Bangladesh gettin another airport in The Bagerhat district. do they really need a airport there?

I am not sure if anyone here has been to St Martins or Marten. i think st marteens can attract many tourist from around the world all it needs is a few decent hotel and a airport. do u not think St Marten can do with a Airport. shouldnt CAAB or MoCAT do something.

That Bagerhat district airport is actually Khan Jahan Ali (Khulna) airport, if I'm not mistaken. I don't think there will ever be an airport on St.Martin's, nor should there be. As it is the pristine ecology may already be compromised if tourism on that island is not curb/controlled.

What is MoCAT?

Imran (or anybody else in the know)

How is AirAsia or any other airline process credit card transactions online from/in Bangladesh? Here in the US, nearly all credit card purchase require a US billing address. If the billing address is not in the US, the transaction is declined.

Dubvious when they show the Canada Zoom 767 on the front page

By: M Radzi Desa

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/9/6/1530695.jpg

By: Wasim Choudhury

@ Sylhet - Osmani International

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/0/3/1451305.jpg

by: Kazi Rafiq

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/9/5/1412592.jpg

by Wasim Choudhury

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/6/6/1182660.jpg

by M. Azizul Islam

Youngone's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/2/7/1087720.jpg

by M. Azizul Islam

Zoom Airways
British Aerospace BAe-748 Srs2B/360LFD

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/9/4/9/0894949.jpg

By Matias

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/8/1/1397185.jpg

Nice Pics Amar, that GMG Dash 8 looks so clean, looks almost new.

Royal Bengal looks Awesome!

By: M Radzi Desa

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/9/6/1530695.jpg

The lease of Pegasus' 737s was yet another dark chapter in Biman's seemingly unending series of dreadful leases.

I'm interested to hear more on your thoughts about why iasif. I understand that the SIN / KUL cannot upload the required freight etc as what the A310 & DC-10's did

looking at CAAB's website i noticed that Bangladesh gettin another airport in The Bagerhat district. do they really need a airport there?

I am not sure if anyone here has been to St Martins or Marten. i think st marteens can attract many tourist from around the world all it needs is a few decent hotel and a airport. do u not think St Marten can do with a Airport. shouldnt CAAB or MoCAT do something.

its St. Martins, there is another island in the Carribean (belonging to Netherlands) which is called St. Maarteen and they have the airport called "Princess Juliana International Airport"

anyway, our St. Martin has not enough space for an airport and doesnt need one if the Cox's Bazaar airport is upgraded to an international airport and modernised!! its more of a natural island but yes, it need 2/3 5-star resorts.

That Bagerhat district airport is actually Khan Jahan Ali (Khulna) airport, if I'm not mistaken. I don't think there will ever be an airport on St.Martin's, nor should there be. As it is the pristine ecology may already be compromised if tourism on that island is not curb/controlled.

What is MoCAT?

Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism

I understand where your coming from. When i went to visit st martins i was speaking to the local residents. their nearest town is Chittagong hospital is in chittagong as well. a couple of seaplane can maybe be convienient for the local resident of St Martin or even the tourists. now i am not sure on the cost of running a lets say Caravan Amphibian.

its St. Martins, there is another island in the Carribean (belonging to Netherlands) which is called St. Maarteen and they have the airport called "Princess Juliana International Airport"

anyway, our St. Martin has not enough space for an airport and doesnt need one if the Cox's Bazaar airport is upgraded to an international airport and modernised!! its more of a natural island but yes, it need 2/3 5-star resorts.

i totally agree with you. theres a big potential of making money in st martins. if only the GoB issued any investement opportunity to local and foreign investors to invest in st martins. eg if the young people from the uk was to visit st martin they will look to see is there any decent hotels and is there a few bars and clubs. its got beautiful beach and loads of sunshine. but i doubt the GoB will allow that.

Imran (or anybody else in the know)

How is AirAsia or any other airline process credit card transactions online from/in Bangladesh? Here in the US, nearly all credit card purchase require a US billing address. If the billing address is not in the US, the transaction is declined.

That's because you are doing the transaction in US. The security feature of Master or Visa or American Express or any other standard Credit Card contains a velocity table which limits/regulates the pattern of transaction done by the card holder, including maximum dollar amount of single transaction, location of the transaction etc. You can request your bank/credit card issuer to change the security parameters of your credit card to get more flexibility. However, this is not advisable with increasing trend of card frauds across the Globe.

As for Air Asia, or any other vendor processing a credit card online, they will either have a local merchant or use online money transfer provided by many e-commerce site like paypal or e-bay (unfortunately they do not accept cards issued from Bangladesh). Most of the airlines (except those who are blacklisted like PIA or GMG etc.), by the way, have local merchants, so that people can easily charge an international credit/debit card directly online. You need to have a Bangladeshi billing address, unless you declared during the card application that you resides outside Bangladesh and the bank allows you a foreign billing address. You will see that most airlines will have separate country sites to avoid problems with card's security features...

For further detail, my friend, I think I should raise an invoice.... :lol:

GMG eyes business expansion
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jun/24/busi-b.jpg

The business deal between Beximco Group and GMG Airlines has not yet been finalised, GMG official said.
The official, however, is optimistic about the future of the deal as the airline authorities have been looking for such a deal to fund its expansion and face the financial crisis that the company has been facing for a while.
Country’s first private carrier GMG Airlines intends to use the money it will get from Beximco in expanding its network to United Kingdom, Singapore and Middle East as well as increasing flights on the exiting routes.
On June 17, Beximco decided to purchase 50 per cent shares of GMG for Tk 70 crore and according to Salman F Rahman, deputy-chairman of Beximco Group, the board of directors of GMG Airlines had also approved the issuance of new shares to arrange necessary funding.
‘So far it is just like a ‘memorandum of understanding’. Discussion is going on about the format. Nothing has yet been written and documented. Anything is possible,’ Sadad Rahman, GMG vice president (Marketing), told New Age at his office about the much talked about development.
‘The deal will be financially viable and good for GMG. There will be an instant injection of lot of cash to help overcome our financial problems and we can immediately go for two wide-bodied Boeing 767 aircrafts for expanding our network to United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Qatar’, he added.
Sadad said, ‘If everything goes well, we will start flying to these destinations by this year. Besides, we will increase frequencies on our existing routes.’
The senior executive also talked about the financial crisis the airline had been going through due to price hike of oil and global recession. He hoped the Beximco cash would help them turn things around.
According to officials, due to the financial crisis, the airline is having problems in maintaining its schedule. Even it had to suspend operation on its Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka route. Two of its six aircrafts are grounded for a while only to make the matter worse.
There had been some mistakes on part of the GMG management that contributed to the financial problem, they said.
‘The financial crisis we are facing is due to oil price hike followed by global recession. These two elements have hit us hard in last one year or so,’ Sadad said.
He said, ‘When we started recovering from the oil price, the global recession arrived. Needless to say that like everybody else we have also been affected badly.’
Asked if it was a good decision to use Boeing 747, he said, ‘The timing was wrong.’ The Boeing 747 is no longer with the airline fleet.
About the problem in maintaining schedule, Sadad said, ‘We are aware of the problem. Two of our six aircrafts are grounded at the moment. These two aircrafts will be repaired soon that will enable us to keep the schedule.’
He informed that currently four aircrafts – two Dashes and two MDs – are serving four domestic and six international destinations.
Sadad admitted that in a country like Bangladesh airline business was risky and very difficult and said the absence of back-up aircrafts was one of the major problems faced by Bangladeshi airlines.

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jun/24/busi.html

Capt. Ahsan did make a visual landing when I travelled from CGP to DAC & it was not a good one. I saw the touchdown point getting past while we were still up in the air. He landed after flying over nearly quarter of the runway's length! Thank God Zoom didn't carry alive shrimps. Animal Rights Agencies might've sued them & Capt. Ahsan!

....Thank God Zoom didn't carry alive shrimps...

The shrimps that Zoom or others carry are very much alive... As a matter of fact, they are carried by air to keep them alive as those baby shrimps collected from deep sea are too young and vulnerable to survive some 24+ hours drive from Cox's Bazar to Khulna...:)

Hello,

I have been reading this forum since part 1, however never really contributed much.
Imran Asif's contribution has been tremendous and very informative, thank you.

I found this Biman tender on Flight International, 23-29 June 2009, quite new.
Just wondering if there are any companies out there willing to lease an aircraft on dry lease. Not particularly the best idea in my opinion due to Biman's track record and lack of maintenance facilities :bash:

http://www.aviationindustry.co.uk/forum/images/biman.jpg

GMG eyes business expansion
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jun/24/busi-b.jpg

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jun/24/busi.html

GMG has major issues to settle including the subject of that very photo - the B747 leased from Air Atlanta. I think GMG is underestimating the potential consequences of keeping these issues alive, and I also have this uncanny feeling that BEXIMCO may not already be informed about these issues.

I sincerely hope they can stage a comeback, but they aren't acting well enough yet...and if they don't get their acts right soon, the worst for GMG is yet to come.

Capt. Ahsan did make a visual landing when I travelled from CGP to DAC & it was not a good one. I saw the touchdown point getting past while we were still up in the air. He landed after flying over nearly quarter of the runway's length! Thank God Zoom didn't carry alive shrimps. Animal Rights Agencies might've sued them & Capt. Ahsan!

The touchdown point is a 'relative' point. For a 10,000 feet runway, the suggested touchdown point marked are meant for aircraft which may require that length of the runway to make for a safe go-around after touchdown. For a Dash-8, touching down past 3,000 feet should still leave enough length ahead to perform the go-around if needed.

If a pilot has an inevitable tailwind component while landing, his flare may be longer than usual...and it'll be up to him to decide if touching down is still safe or not.

Happy flying! :)

Hello,

I have been reading this forum since part 1, however never really contributed much.
Imran Asif's contribution has been tremendous and very informative, thank you.

I found this Biman tender on Flight International, 23-29 June 2009, quite new.
Just wondering if there are any companies out there willing to lease an aircraft on dry lease. Not particularly the best idea in my opinion due to Biman's track record and lack of maintenance facilities :bash:


Welcome to the forum, and glad to know that you find my posts useful! :)

As for your question, Biman may be in for a good deal of luck as far as the 777s are concerned. These days aren't the best ones for airline business worldwide and there are several owners/operators selling to leasing out aircraft just to minimize costs or to make some money off their idle fleet.

The decision to issue this RFP was taken at the Board meeting of 6th June in which it was actually expected to decide from the offers Biman had received directly from several bidders, of which only ones from Cathay Pacific (for 2x 777-200s) and EuroAtlantic Airways (for 2x 777-200ERs) were technically eligible by all counts. I'd expect both these bidders to submit their proposals once again under this RFP. It'll be Biman's Achilles heel if they fail to take a decision shortly after the closing date of the RFP (5th July).

As for the 747 for Hajj, they really are in a thick soup. They had issued a similar RFP a couple of months back, only accepting aircraft under 20 years of age and the only valid offers were for 2x 747-400s from the same bidder who had offered the aircraft for USD 11,900 and USD 12,600 per BH respectively. At that lease rate, and considering the fares for the ballottee pilgrims of just USD 1,250 (if I'm not mistaken), Biman would bleed money to death over the 2009-2010 Hajj operations. So it has managed to convince the CAAB (as if it's the hardest of things to do!) to allow it to take aircraft for Hajj which could be up to 25 years of age and hence this re-issued RFP.

That's because you are doing the transaction in US. The security feature of Master or Visa or American Express or any other standard Credit Card contains a velocity table which limits/regulates the pattern of transaction done by the card holder, including maximum dollar amount of single transaction, location of the transaction etc.

Yes, I am aware of the security aspects and their parameters. I wondered whether the same rules applied for people in Bangladesh who do online credit card transactions.
You can request your bank/credit card issuer to change the security parameters of your credit card to get more flexibility. However, this is not advisable with increasing trend of card frauds across the Globe.

Probably not anymore, with the new stringent security rules, known as "PCI" being mandated by FCC and FTC and others who regulate (US) banks issued credit cards.

As for Air Asia, or any other vendor processing a credit card online, they will either have a local merchant or use online money transfer provided by many e-commerce site like paypal or e-bay (unfortunately they do not accept cards issued from Bangladesh). Most of the airlines (except those who are blacklisted like PIA or GMG etc.), by the way, have local merchants, so that people can easily charge an international credit/debit card directly online.
I still don't see how it works. If I purchase a ticket say from AK, or SQ, or NW, online from their website or an online travel website like cheaptickets.com. When I choose to pay by a credit card and choose Amex or Visa, the credit card transaction session (program/software) kicks in, and the transaction is completed by Amex or Visa, who now has my money. Amex or Visa in turn has NW or Cheaptickets as their registered merchants and based upon their financial arrangement/agreement, Amex or Visa pays the airline either on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, after deducting their fee. This is all automated and happens electronically, usually via ACH (Automated Clearing House). How does this process occur in Bangladesh, if at all? Does Amex or Visa or Mastercard have offices in Dhaka? Who do the local agents of AirAsia (and others) collect the money from?

You need to have a Bangladeshi billing address, unless you declared during the card application that you resides outside Bangladesh and the bank allows you a foreign billing address. You will see that most airlines will have separate country sites to avoid problems with card's security features...

Yes, I have seen this and most banks have such provision except it is probably not advisable for people from Bangladesh. My father-in-law's Chase credit card was stolen twice in Bangladesh. One time the thief went shopping to Amin Jewelers with it! Unless you specifically instruct them NOT to mail your card by standard mail, they will do so and that is how these cards get intercepted/stolen in Bangladesh.


For further detail, my friend, I think I should raise an invoice.... :lol:
And I will raise you an IOU, buddy! :D

were for 2x 747-400s from the same bidder who had offered the aircraft for USD 11,900 and USD 12,600 per BH respectively.

Were these offered by the same Spanish company? Who also have placed a bid on the 777's?

By Matias

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/8/1/1397185.jpg

How recent is this picture? I thought the airport as a whole was much better looking now inside out. Why are the hordes still loitering outside the terminal?

What is the point of loitering outside the terminal?

How much is fuel per days in Bangladesh a litre in US?

Were these offered by the same Spanish company? Who also have placed a bid on the 777's?

The 747-400s which were offered in response to the earlier RFP were:
- MSN 25380; Reg. # F-HKIS; 582 pax; Operated by Corsair
- MSN 26549; Reg. # EC-KQC; 477 pax; Operated by Air Pullmantur

From what I'm told, both aircraft are owned by AVICO. Both aircraft, including a third (TF-AMK, operated by Air Atlanta and owned by AVICO) were offered by Ausban Aeronautical Services (an Australian-registered company owned by a Bangladeshi) but the third frame was disqualified because of its age of 26 years.

And no, these people didn't bid for the 777s.

The 747-400s which were offered in response to the earlier RFP were:
- MSN 25380; Reg. # F-HKIS; 582 pax; Operated by Corsair
- MSN 26549; Reg. # EC-KQC; 477 pax; Operated by Air Pullmantur

From what I'm told, both aircraft are owned by AVICO. Both aircraft, including a third (TF-AMK, operated by Air Atlanta and owned by AVICO) were offered by Ausban Aeronautical Services (an Australian-registered company owned by a Bangladeshi) but the third frame was disqualified because of its age of 26 years.

And no, these people didn't bid for the 777s.

Thanks, appreciated. That Spanish

How recent is this picture? I thought the airport as a whole was much better looking now inside out. Why are the hordes still loitering outside the terminal?

I dont think its a recent photo.....there are green writings (just like the red "ZIA") outside now which says "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2", also now they installed a large TV screen outside and about the crowd, haha dont ask me lol......its a chaos honestly.....CAAB needs to do sumthin about it..... wonder what the foreigners think!

How recent is this picture? I thought the airport as a whole was much better looking now inside out. Why are the hordes still loitering outside the terminal?

There are always hordes outside, but not all of them are loiterers. If I recall correctly families are not allowed inside the airport (I think one person per group can pay to get in, or something like that) so they have to wait outside for whoever they are picking up. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this...

Yes, I am aware of the security aspects and their parameters. I wondered whether the same rules applied for people in Bangladesh who do online credit card transactions.

Pretty much the same in all the countries with some appropriation in VT parameters as suited by the market and regulatory requirement. Visa and Master (along with their sub products like Visa Electron, Maestro, Plus etc) and Cirrus has standardized parameters while Amex, Dinners' Club etc has their own security features (apart from PCI DSS which is now mandated for all card brands and EMV, though many country including BD are non-compliant with EMV). In Bangladesh though, its predominantly Visa and Master.

Probably not anymore, with the new stringent security rules, known as "PCI" being mandated by FCC and FTC and others who regulate (US) banks issued credit cards.

With all the security rules and policy, fraud loss is increasing in Asia at an accelerated pace. The situation is not much different in Europe and North America. One of the Scotland Yard Chief once said, 'the criminals will always have 10 years or so head start from the law enforcers'. The only thing is, there is much more loss protection given to the customers these days by (as mandated by the regulators) squeezing the revenue of card issuers and service providers. As for PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), it's a basic security feature for mass fraud prevention, highly vulnerable for online usage and a mere peanuts for fraud-stars these days.

I still don't see how it works. ....This is all automated and happens electronically, usually via ACH (Automated Clearing House). How does this process occur in Bangladesh, if at all? Does Amex or Visa or Mastercard have offices in Dhaka? Who do the local agents of AirAsia (and others) collect the money from?

The process in same in Bangladesh as in anywhere else for international credit/debit card processing. Visa and Master represent themselves through a local agent Merchant Solutions Ltd. (MSL) while Amex is represented by Simon Oversees to the best of my knowledge. Air Asia as a merchant of the cards they accept can collect the money in Bangladesh or even in KL (in fact, by doing so they are creating lot of debate as whether they are paying the required tax or not. Unfortunately, National Board of Revenue, the tax collection authority in Bangladesh has severe lack of understanding in many area as it is just like any other inefficient sovereign authority... remember CAAB?), depending on the fact that whether they have local merchantship or not.

Online use of card is, however, restricted and highly regulated in Bangladesh. Debit/Credit Card issued against Resident/Non-Resident Foreign Currency Account or Export Retention Accounts are only allowed to be used online. International Card issued against travel quota are not permitted for online use due to the outdated and obsolete Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of the country.

Yes, I have seen this and most banks have such provision except it is probably not advisable for people from Bangladesh. My father-in-law's Chase credit card was stolen twice in Bangladesh. One time the thief went shopping to Amin Jewelers with it! Unless you specifically instruct them NOT to mail your card by standard mail, they will do so and that is how these cards get intercepted/stolen in Bangladesh.

I can tell you from my experience in Asian markets that card fraud situation in Bangladesh is probably best in south/southeast Asia. However, I must also mention the fact that usages and acceptability of plastic money is also worst here comparing to most of our south and southeast Asian neighbors.

And I will raise you an IOU, buddy! :D

IOU accepted. :cheers:

There are always hordes outside, but not all of them are loiterers. If I recall correctly families are not allowed inside the airport (I think one person per group can pay to get in, or something like that) so they have to wait outside for whoever they are picking up. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this...

Not anymore. It's now "come one, come all" policy inside the terminal (both arrival & departure), at a price of BDT 200/person.

However, the loitering outside thing occurs for many reasons including families from villages flocking in together to receive their gem of the family coming in from the foreign land on a plane, to where he left with a million dreams. And then there are groups of such people who goes to see off their sons and brothers going away as labourers, and they wait outside until hours after the flight has departed, just to make sure that their loved ones aren't coming out finding that the manpower agency had provided them with a forged visa.

I don't blame these people. We live in a country of 150 million hearts, and way more dreams broken every day than made...and it isn't easy for people who bet their lives on it.

There are always hordes outside, but not all of them are loiterers. If I recall correctly families are not allowed inside the airport (I think one person per group can pay to get in, or something like that) so they have to wait outside for whoever they are picking up. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this...

Anyone and everyone can enter by paying some BDT 200/- entrance fee or managing a friend/relative inside airport (staring from Airport manager to immigration police to sweeper even). The people you are seeing outside are primarily belongs to two groups. Firstly, family members of workers/wage earners who can not afford the entry fee (as per Bangladesh culture, a whole crowd of 5/6 or even more people will come to see off or receive their near and dear ones) and lack appropriate connection (or a low level connection through which one one person will enter inside while the others will wait outside). And secondly, the nuisance factors, people who will carry the baggage of incoming/outgoing passengers and in return ask for money (interested more in USD than BDT), Dalals (middle man) for taxi/rent-a-car etc.

Not anymore. It's now "come one, come all" policy inside the terminal (both arrival & departure), at a price of BDT 200/person.

However, the loitering outside thing occurs for many reasons including families from villages flocking in together to receive their gem of the family coming in from the foreign land on a plane, to where he left with a million dreams. And then there are groups of such people who goes to see off their sons and brothers going away as labourers, and they wait outside until hours after the flight has departed, just to make sure that their loved ones aren't coming out finding that the manpower agency had provided them with a forged visa.

I don't blame these people. We live in a country of 150 million hearts, and way more dreams broken every day than made...and it isn't easy for people who bet their lives on it.

Oops... missed that while I was typing my one....

I also have lot of sympathy for the relatives of wage earners. GoB should arrange some kind of shed outside the terminal building for their benefit. One good thing I have heard is, a giant screen is set outside to give information on arrival and departure.

The dalals and other nuisance factors, however, should be kicked out...

I also have lot of sympathy for the relatives of wage earners. GoB should arrange some kind of shed outside the terminal building for their benefit. One good thing I have heard is, a giant screen is set outside to give information on arrival and departure.

1. Most people can't even read.

2. The giant screen shows more adverts and other stuff than flight info (if at all...because I haven't seen any so far). It also shows a documentary meant for labourers as to how they should do their processing (check genuinity of agencies, tickets, visas, etc.) to ensure they're not cheated. I fail to understand the purpose of showing this documentary video outside the airport terminal by which time all kinds of cheating will have been completed!

The dalals and other nuisance factors, however, should be kicked out...

The law enforcing agencies should push a couple of such samples off the 1st floor driveway balcony every day. Do this for the first 3 days, and then once every week for 3 months, and then once every fortnight for another 3 months...the results should be magical! :)

The law enforcing agencies should push a couple of such samples off the 1st floor driveway balcony every day. Do this for the first 3 days, and then once every week for 3 months, and then once every fortnight for another 3 months...the results should be magical! :)

If executed properly, the result will be magical. This idea should be seriously perused in Zia and with some other samples from other groups in different venues, and the height of the 'pushing-off platform' should go up with proportionate to the crime committed...

The moderator may delete the post for being too savage...:devil:

I couldn't resist myself posting these pictures in this forum though to some extend irrelevant. I received it via e-mail and not sure about the authenticity...

It is claimed that the below pictures were taken by an unfortunate passenger of AF 447 named Paulo G. Muller, an actor of a theater for children known in the outskirts of Porto Alegre, using a digital Casio Z750 camera. The camera was completely ruined but the pictures were salved through the memory stick found among the debris in Serra do Cachimbo in Atlantic.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/image001.jpg

It appears from the picture that a big portion of the aircraft was torn apart just before crash. The reason I have doubts about the authenticity of the pictures is, from the picture it appears that there was day light out side during the crash... which doesn't tally with the time of the unfortunate crash of AF 447

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/image002.jpg

Note the passenger being sucked out due to decompression effect.

Whether these picture are true or not, the whole incident regarding AF 447 was extremely tragic and sad. May Allah bless the departed souls...

If executed properly, the result will be magical. This idea should be seriously perused in Zia and with some other samples from other groups in different venues, and the height of the 'pushing-off platform' should go up with proportionate to the crime committed...

The moderator may delete the post for being too savage...:devil:

Artist's (aka iasif) impression of your proposed (and encouragingly savage) concept:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/ZIA.jpg

:runaway:

Artist's (aka iasif) impression of your proposed (and encouragingly savage) concept:

:rofl:

You have enormous potential as artist my friend... The picture itself with appropriate description ending with 'aadeshcrome: kortipokkho' (pardon my spelling) should discourage many of those petty criminals....

I couldn't resist myself posting these pictures in this forum though to some extend irrelevant. I received it via e-mail and not sure about the authenticity...

These pics are fake for sure. Apart from technical explanations, the most obvious and evident proof is the fact that AF A330-200s don't have a 3-X-3 seating as seen in these pics. The AF 330-200 seat map is as below (source: seatguru.com):

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/AF332.gif

^^ HAHAHA LMAO :D

^^ to the "push-off" platform picture btw.... i was kinda late to reply:P

These pics are fake for sure.

Yes, probably from some film or TV. Horrible, nevertheless... both the picture and incident with AF 447...

I couldn't resist myself posting these pictures in this forum though to some extend irrelevant. I received it via e-mail and not sure about the authenticity...

It is claimed that the below pictures were taken by an unfortunate passenger of AF 447 named Paulo G. Muller, an actor of a theater for children known in the outskirts of Porto Alegre, using a digital Casio Z750 camera. The camera was completely ruined but the pictures were salved through the memory stick found among the debris in Serra do Cachimbo in Atlantic.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/image001.jpg

It appears from the picture that a big portion of the aircraft was torn apart just before crash. The reason I have doubts about the authenticity of the pictures is, from the picture it appears that there was day light out side during the crash... which doesn't tally with the time of the unfortunate crash of AF 447

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/image002.jpg

Note the passenger being sucked out due to decompression effect.

Whether these picture are true or not, the whole incident regarding AF 447 was extremely tragic and sad. May Allah bless the departed souls...

This looks like a snapshot from National Geographics Air cRash Investigates.

My Prayer are with all Passengers that were on AF447. May Allah bless the departed souls

How much is fuel per days in Bangladesh a litre in US?

??? :bash:

These pics are fake for sure. Apart from technical explanations, the most obvious and evident proof is the fact that AF A330-200s don't have a 3-X-3 seating as seen in these pics. The AF 330-200 seat map is as below (source: seatguru.com):

Correct ...I have seen these pictures in 2008 itself and was then claimed as last minute pictures of some other similar accident. Later on I read elsewhere that it was a spam mail and the photos were taken from an episode of the famous "Lost" series (US).

Correct ...I have seen these pictures in 2008 itself and was then claimed as last minute pictures of some other similar accident. Later on I read elsewhere that it was a spam mail and the photos were taken from an episode of the famous "Lost" series (US).

There are several other obvious technical explanations:

- In these photos, the plane looks to be in a fairly level flight (as evident from the tie of the gentleman or the hanging oxygen masks). With the entire empennage of the aircraft missing, it is practically impossible for any plane to maintain a level flight. Without the empennage, its a sure-shot nose dive which isn't the case pictured.

- In high-altitude fuselage ripoff situations, seatbelts are not nearly going to be enough to hold the passengers in as such a depressurization would (barring miracles) tear the rows of seats off the plane. When people are getting sucked out like the way shown (which is modest), how can anyone stand up and turn back and take shots like that?

^^ haha nice explanations indeed :D

Pretty much the same in all the countries with some appropriation in VT parameters as suited by the market and regulatory requirement. Visa and Master (along with their sub products like Visa Electron, Maestro, Plus etc) and Cirrus has standardized parameters while Amex, Dinners' Club etc has their own security features (apart from PCI DSS which is now mandated for all card brands and EMV, though many country including BD are non-compliant with EMV). In Bangladesh though, its predominantly Visa and Master.
Yes, even here not all banks issue EMV enabled credit cards although it is becoming increasingly popular.

With all the security rules and policy, fraud loss is increasing in Asia at an accelerated pace. The situation is not much different in Europe and North America. One of the Scotland Yard Chief once said, 'the criminals will always have 10 years or so head start from the law enforcers'. The only thing is, there is much more loss protection given to the customers these days by (as mandated by the regulators) squeezing the revenue of card issuers and service providers.
I do not know about other countries but here, that is a given owing to so many consumer protection ordinances/laws (not just federal but state and local as well), and also out of fear for individual and class action lawsuits. Therefore, nearly all businesses that transact with consumers have to carry a lot of liability insurance. Speaking of liability, did you know that if you came to visit me at my house and accidentally fell sustaining injury (death) you could sue me for damages? As for the "revenue squeeze", the day banks find themselves with razor thin margins on credit cards, they will stop issuing them and/or jack up rates and fees so that the operation remains profitable. It is the banks that invented credit cards and so it will be them to withdraw it --- they giveth they taketh away --- because the house never bets against itself and always wins!

As for PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), it's a basic security feature for mass fraud prevention, highly vulnerable for online usage and a mere peanuts for fraud-stars these days.
Many banks have begun to introduce security token devices to bolster security and protection from fraud. My spouse has an account with HSBC in Singapore. Recently, they mailed her one.

The process in same in Bangladesh as in anywhere else for international credit/debit card processing. Visa and Master represent themselves through a local agent Merchant Solutions Ltd. (MSL) while Amex is represented by Simon Oversees to the best of my knowledge. Air Asia as a merchant of the cards they accept can collect the money in Bangladesh or even in KL ...
Doesn't Bangladesh have very rigid and stringent currently control and barrier against foreign currency export (outflow)? If yes, are Visa et al allowed to remit the dollars overseas (e.g. to KUL for AirAsia, or DXB for EK) electronically? Does Bank Bangladesh monitor such activities? If yes, how?

Online use of card is, however, restricted and highly regulated in Bangladesh. Debit/Credit Card issued against Resident/Non-Resident Foreign Currency Account or Export Retention Accounts are only allowed to be used online. International Card issued against travel quota are not permitted for online use due to the outdated and obsolete Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of the country.
If that is the case, then there can't be too many users with credits cards that enable them to make online transactions? If so, why all the hue and carry against AirAsia for online ticket purchase since there would hardly be that many users in (from) Bangladesh who can make those transactions? I didn't know locals in Bangladesh are allowed to maintain (resident) foreign currency accounts? Are these one-way also like the NRB F/C accounts i.e. can deposit foreign currency but cannot withdraw/remit (to overseas)?

I can tell you from my experience in Asian markets that card fraud situation in Bangladesh is probably best in south/southeast Asia. However, I must also mention the fact that usages and acceptability of plastic money is also worst here comparing to most of our south and southeast Asian neighbors. Are you saying that credit card fraud is less in Bangladesh compared to other Asian countries? It is probably because the use of credit cards aren't that prevalent and not many credit card holders.

Those pictures have been peddled earlier. My brother-in-law forwarded those to me (forwarded to him by somebody) that claimed the pictures to have come from a camera of a passenger discovered from a luggage of the ill fated GOL 737 that collided with a bizjet, sometime last year (couple of years?).

??? :bash:


Sorry should have said: How much are the Bangladesh carriers paying for aviation fuel in a price of US dollars?

Those pictures have been peddled earlier. My brother-in-law forwarded those to me (forwarded to him by somebody) that claimed the pictures to have come from a camera of a passenger discovered from a luggage of the ill fated GOL 737 that collided with a bizjet, sometime last year (couple of years?).

GOL 737 is a narrowbody, the picture above is a widebodied aircraft

iasif:

What are the current loads in and out of Dhaka to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai with the recent increase in capacity, or in Biman case decrease in capacity

iasif:

What are the current loads in and out of Dhaka to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai with the recent increase in capacity, or in Biman case decrease in capacity

The loads are good. Biman has suspended BKK but has been picking up loads from SIN and KUL since re-deploying the A310s (replacing the 737s). However, Biman is soon going to enter another phase of acute capacity shortage as S2-ACQ and S2-ADK will be going for C-checks at the end of July. S2-ACR is already in C-check for months now and missing an engine, the 3rd A310 (MSN 642) may not be joining soon either. Unless some alternatives are arranged soon, Biman will be left with 2x DC-10s and 1x A310 (plus the F-28) and a world of flights to operate!

Why did they suspend to BKK?

Doesn't Bangladesh have very rigid and stringent currently control and barrier against foreign currency export (outflow)? If yes, are Visa et al allowed to remit the dollars overseas (e.g. to KUL for AirAsia, or DXB for EK) electronically? Does Bank Bangladesh monitor such activities? If yes, how?

Let me try to explain this, Visa etc. receives/dispatch their payments through banking channels who use New York Clearing house. For example, I am buying a ticket of Air Asia sitting in Dhaka with a Visa Card issued by Eastern Bank Ltd. Air Asia, will claim the amount from the bank where he maintains his merchant account (say ABC Bank in KL). ABC Bank will pay Air Asia and sought reimbursement from Visa through NY clearing. Similarly, Eastern Bank will debit customer account and credit Visa's nostro account through NY clearing. Visa maintains it account with some US Bank and at the end of day that US Bank will receive some payment from Eastern Bank and reimburse some payment to ABC Bank. In practice, each card issuing bank and banks doing merchant business has certain limit within which it operates and appropriate their funds through NY clearing house not for single transaction but as a whole while a detail transaction reports are generated for reconciliation purpose.

Central Banks (like Bangladesh Bank) only monitors transactions through banking channel. In BD, all the bank has to submit a monthly return to Bangladesh Bank where the credit card related transactions are also included. Banks are permitted to issue card against NFCD/RFCD/ERQ accounts or travel quota and as long as they are adhering to the policy approved the Bangladesh Bank, there are no issues.

If that is the case, then there can't be too many users with credits cards that enable them to make online transactions?

There aren't many. However, many travel agents keep a credit card in personal name and use that to buy tickets on behalf of customers. Though in strict sense this is not legal, but, well, I think this kind of practice is common in any third world country.

If so, why all the hue and carry against AirAsia for online ticket purchase since there would hardly be that many users in (from) Bangladesh who can make those transactions?

The hue and cry is largely due to lack of understanding on the process. NBR, being NBR, has least understanding on these online transaction and have no clue as how to realize tax in this kind of transaction. It is an established process through out the world and if the authority knows how to realize tax and how to monitor, these unnecessary noise could have been easily avoided.

GOL 737 is a narrowbody, the picture above is a widebodied aircraft

nope....its a B737..... i can see 3 seats on each side with a single aisle!

The loads are good. Biman has suspended BKK but has been picking up loads from SIN and KUL since re-deploying the A310s (replacing the 737s). However, Biman is soon going to enter another phase of acute capacity shortage as S2-ACQ and S2-ADK will be going for C-checks at the end of July. S2-ACR is already in C-check for months now and missing an engine, the 3rd A310 (MSN 642) may not be joining soon either. Unless some alternatives are arranged soon, Biman will be left with 2x DC-10s and 1x A310 (plus the F-28) and a world of flights to operate!

haha what an airlines :nuts: , btw, u forgot to mention the leased B747s :P and Im surprised to see that they suspended BKK!

GOL 737 is a narrowbody, the picture above is a widebodied aircraft

That is NOT the point, as to what the picture reveals, is it? The point is that those are fake (in both cases, as claimed for GOL and AF).

hey guys will Biman get a new look on leased 777 or 737. dont you thinks its about time they changed the livery?

haha what an airlines :nuts: , btw, u forgot to mention the leased B747s :P

There aren't any leased 747s with Biman since March '09. Kabo's agreement expired in March (and the 84 day's extension didn't happen) and Orient Thai took their plane for a C-check (and eventually sold off its engines and getting rid of the airframe!) in February and no replacements have been provided yet as the expiry of their agreement is approaching in July.

...and Im surprised to see that they suspended BKK!

Why did they suspend to BKK?

BG suspended BKK and DEL for the reason that while paving the way to let go of the 737s, it is left without adequate fleet to keep those routes open. The decision of keeping those 737s further would have been costlier than the loss of revenues due to the suspension of these routes, and they aren't likely to be opened up until BG receives some more aircraft from wherever they'd come.

As to why the Pegasus 737s were a disastrous episode for Biman, I shall explain it within a day or two once I compile the data I have in hand.

hey guys will Biman get a new look on leased 777 or 737. dont you thinks its about time they changed the livery?

As discussed before, a mere new look won't be of any good...and might rather tantamount to cheating with the pax. What needs to change first is the service (On the ground and in the air)...for the better.

As discussed before, a mere new look won't be of any good...and might rather tantamount to cheating with the pax. What needs to change first is the service (On the ground and in the air)...for the better.

i personally think a new livery can make a difference for BG a new look can tell people we have got our new aircrafts we are improving our services on board and ground this can in a way enourage people to start using BG again. but thats if Biman plans to do this.

What happened to Biman getting experienced cabin crew from all parts of the world?

I dont think there is any further hope for BG unless Imran bhai gets to be its CEO :)

What happened to Biman getting experienced cabin crew from all parts of the world?

Biman has cabin crews who are already experienced enough. They only need ones who can make it easily through the standard aisle width. ;)

I dont think there is any further hope for BG unless Imran bhai gets to be its CEO :)

I was reading somewhere the other day that scientists are predicting that planet Earth would collide with another planet in the course of some hundred million years...and I guess it'd happen sooner than your proposition!

Biman has cabin crews who are already experienced enough. They only need ones who can make it easily through the standard aisle width. ;)

Aren't the cabin crew required to pass physicals on a regular basis? If yes, isn't there a weight in proportion to height requirement?

The last time I flew BG (JFK-DAC), I really didn't have any complaints against the cabin crew. In fact I found most of them amiable and busy performing their duties. I really do not the what people are talking about (complaints) and the need for non Bangladeshi cabin attendants? So, what's all the fuss about?

Aren't the cabin crew required to pass physicals on a regular basis? If yes, isn't there a weight in proportion to height requirement?

The last time I flew BG (JFK-DAC), I really didn't have any complaints against the cabin crew. In fact I found most of them amiable and busy performing their duties. I really do not the what people are talking about (complaints) and the need for non Bangladeshi cabin attendants? So, what's all the fuss about?

I heard it on one of the bengali news channel that biman is lookin to get experienced air cabin crew. must of heard it wrong.

R.I.P MJ he will sadly be missed

That is NOT the point, as to what the picture reveals, is it? The point is that those are fake (in both cases, as claimed for GOL and AF).

To true TIslam, but look again its clearly a widebodied aircraft

To those of you in the know, is it true several years ago some Gulf country was trying to gift a 747 to Biman but because it was a 200 series, the gift was politely refused?

To those of you in the know, is it true several years ago some Gulf country was trying to gift a 747 to Biman but because it was a 200 series, the gift was politely refused?

Hmm...that was Kuwait, AFAIK.

The last time I flew BG (JFK-DAC), I really didn't have any complaints against the cabin crew. In fact I found most of them amiable and busy performing their duties. I really do not the what people are talking about (complaints) and the need for non Bangladeshi cabin attendants? So, what's all the fuss about?

Possibilities:

- The DAC-JFK-DAC flights used to have "important passengers" (such as the ministers/secretaries/pilots and their servant's neighbour's bro-in-law) on a regular basis who always used to fly on J-class (without having paid for even Y seats). That may have been one reason to have the better-behaved cabin crew on those flights to/from JFK...not for ones like you who paid for your passage, but for ones who didn't!

- You were lucky.

I was reading somewhere the other day that scientists are predicting that planet Earth would collide with another planet in the course of some hundred million years...and I guess it'd happen sooner than your proposition!

I shall handle BG one day Inshallah :)

To those of you in the know, is it true several years ago some Gulf country was trying to gift a 747 to Biman but because it was a 200 series, the gift was politely refused?

Hmm...that was Kuwait, AFAIK.

Not one, a couple in fact. it was in 2004 to be exact. i was heavily involved with BG that time.... BG sent a team to inspect the aircraft and also talked to bank for financing the refabrishment cost but due poor condition of the air crafts and GoB's decision not to provide sovereign gurantee, we backed off. Can't remember whether those were -100 or -200 seriese... Need to chec (I am in a tea garden in the Srimongol right now)..

The shrimps that Zoom or others carry are very much alive... As a matter of fact, they are carried by air to keep them alive as those baby shrimps collected from deep sea are too young and vulnerable to survive some 24+ hours drive from Cox's Bazar to Khulna...:)

OMG, on average how many of the shrimps who started the journey survived the HS-748 & reached destination safely?

I have recently heard United are acquiring 2 more aircraft but was unable to ascertain what aircraft type they are. Can anyone shed some more light?

Many thanks.

Possibilities:

- The DAC-JFK-DAC flights used to have "important passengers" (such as the ministers/secretaries/pilots and their servant's neighbour's bro-in-law) on a regular basis who always used to fly on J-class (without having paid for even Y seats). That may have been one reason to have the better-behaved cabin crew on those flights to/from JFK...not for ones like you who paid for your passage, but for ones who didn't!

- You were lucky.

Okay, so I had a windfall. But then, how about the treatment (service) I received on my HGK-DAC flight (back then BG had a promotion that if you bought a JFK-DAC return ticket they gave you a free flight anywhere east of DAC and I wanted to visit both DAC and MNL, the only bad part was it had to be M/Y class, not for J class). When they served the meal, the choice wasn't a standard fare, at least to me, something like fish curry or mutton curry. I balked and berated them and refused both choices. After everybody was served, the Purser came back with a meal tray that had among other things fried shrimp and chicken cutlet, and asked me if it was acceptable. I said yes when he told me that it was crew meal.

He didn't have to do that especially for a Y class passenger. Overall, other than poor aircraft conditions (overhead bins flew open, it rained, and let's not talk about the lavatories!) I had no complaints about BG's inflight service. Their ground service, on the other hand, was the pits!

Okay, so I had a windfall. But then, how about the treatment (service) I received on my HGK-DAC flight (back then BG had a promotion that if you bought a JFK-DAC return ticket they gave you a free flight anywhere east of DAC and I wanted to visit both DAC and MNL, the only bad part was it had to be M/Y class, not for J class). When they served the meal, the choice wasn't a standard fare, at least to me, something like fish curry or mutton curry. I balked and berated them and refused both choices. After everybody was served, the Purser came back with a meal tray that had among other things fried shrimp and chicken cutlet, and asked me if it was acceptable. I said yes when he told me that it was crew meal.

He didn't have to do that especially for a Y class passenger. Overall, other than poor aircraft conditions (overhead bins flew open, it rained, and let's not talk about the lavatories!) I had no complaints about BG's inflight service. Their ground service, on the other hand, was the pits!

Possibilities (Mk.II):

1. You were having a streak of good luck.

2. The purser had something serious against at least one of the crews flying, and wanted to 'ill-feed' him (or perhaps keep him unfed).

3. (You'll HATE me for saying this one) You know about the crime often associated with serving of food?

Hands on heart, I sincerely hope you were privileged with possibility # 1. :)

I have recently heard United are acquiring 2 more aircraft but was unable to ascertain what aircraft type they are. Can anyone shed some more light?

Many thanks.

Been hearing about them getting an MD-83. They also mentioned their interest in 767s as a mid-term solution. Don't know the latest status of these though.

Not one, a couple in fact. it was in 2004 to be exact. i was heavily involved with BG that time.... BG sent a team to inspect the aircraft and also talked to bank for financing the refabrishment cost but due poor condition of the air crafts and GoB's decision not to provide sovereign gurantee, we backed off. Can't remember whether those were -100 or -200 seriese... Need to chec (I am in a tea garden in the Srimongol right now)..

I wonder why the aircraft were in poor shape. I thought the gulf countries keep good maintenance of their planes. This is interesting in light of the fact that Biman has a Northwest jumbo that's a -200 series. Is that aircraft flying or is it in poor shape too?

When I was a teenager I remember flying in a BG 707 that was named "City of Kuwait" or something. Was that a gift too?

Here are some lesser quality photos I had taken on my way to Jessore.

GMG Dash-8. Flight was two hours late coming from ZYL
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2093.jpg

Mighty rivers of Bangladesh
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2094.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2095.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2097.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2098.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2099.jpg

Farmlands near Jessore
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2110.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2107.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2112.jpg

Approach to Jessore airport
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2111.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Sundarban/DCP_2113.jpg

^^ lol dont u mean B707 aircraft instead of BG 707 ? :)

nice pictures samaruf bro :)

When I was a teenager I remember flying in a BG 707 that was named "City of Kuwait" or something. Was that a gift too?

Indeed! That was S2-ACK (MSN/CN 20018/761), and was donated by Kuwait Airways. After delivery, the aircraft still had basic Kuwait Airways livery with Biman's titles added as seen here:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/BG707-1.jpg

And shortly after, the tail was painted in matching blue while retaining the Kuwaiti cheatline as seen here:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/BG707-2.jpg


On another note, Biman also had ex-Northwest (then Northwest Orient), and ex-Pan Am B707s in its fleet too at that time. Another 707 was also leased from Aer Lingus for a short period.

^^ lol dont u mean B707 aircraft instead of BG 707 ? :)
Wanted to say BG B707, but too many "Bs". :)

Indeed! That was S2-ACK (MSN/CN 20018/761), and was donated by Kuwait Airways. After delivery, the aircraft still had basic Kuwait Airways livery with Biman's titles added as seen here:


On another note, Biman also had ex-Northwest (then Northwest Orient), and ex-Pan Am B707s in its fleet too at that time. Another 707 was also leased from Aer Lingus for a short period.

Wow! Thanks for the effort of retrieving these photos from Airliners.net. Pure nostalgia there.

I find that site has much better photos of BG aircraft than Biman's marketing team can ever hope to capture.

Has anyone of you ever utilized Biman's frequent flyer program? Is it just there for the sake of having one, or do people really get the rewards?

I find that site has much better photos of BG aircraft than Biman's marketing team can ever hope to capture.

Marketing team? What is that again??

Has anyone of you ever utilized Biman's frequent flyer program? Is it just there for the sake of having one, or do people really get the rewards?

Biman's Frequent Flyer Programme required you to fly them 10 times before you'd get your reward. I'm not sure how it was during the long-gone yesteryears, but these days one would have to be enormously tolerant and lucky (judging by the rate at which the fleet is dwindling down) to be able to finish 10 trips with them at the first place!

More about their unpleasantly-unique scheme here:
http://www.biman-airlines.com/ff_program.asp

Biman's Frequent Flyer Programme required you to fly them 10 times before you'd get your reward. I'm not sure how it was during the long-gone yesteryears, but these days one would have to be enormously tolerant and lucky (judging by the rate at which the fleet is dwindling down) to be able to finish 10 trips with them at the first place!

More about their unpleasantly-unique scheme here:
http://www.biman-airlines.com/ff_program.asp

Imran Mia, only you can tell us who in Balaka Bhavan came up with that list of conditions.

How do I get a jacket of 10 tickets these days? Haven't they moved on to e-tickets?

At one time you mentioned around 670 employees/aircraft. There better be one or two guys who can copy stuff from other airline websites and paste in Biman's. At least make it respectable.

To be honest, I haven't flown Biman in 27 years, but the one time we flew from Q8 to Dhaka in 1982, it was genuinely a good experience. The planes were newer and the advantage was my parents could take loads of luggage for the relatives back home. If they come back to JFK with a T7, I definitely will give them some business.

Imran Mia, only you can tell us who in Balaka Bhavan came up with that list of conditions.

How do I get a jacket of 10 tickets these days? Haven't they moved on to e-tickets?

SAMARUF: How do I get a jacket of 10 tickets these days? Haven't you moved on to e-tickets?

BIMAN: We not care. You not have jackets...we not give tickets. We sell e-ticket but no jacket. You understand?

At one time you mentioned around 670 employees/aircraft. There better be one or two guys who can copy stuff from other airline websites and paste in Biman's. At least make it respectable.

What? Are you stupid? Out of the 670, 600 are employed not to do anything. They are doing their job fine!

Hypothetically though, if a couple of guys were employed to copy and paste...the result might've been like this:

"Biman is the state-owned carrier of the United Arab Emirates (Emirates) operating a fleet of over 400 Boeing 737s (Southwest) to 66 destinations across the globe (Singapore Airlines). Despite our Chairman Dr. Vijay Mallya's strong liking of women in swimsuits, our conservative-minded slim and slender cabin crews wearing miniskirts (Kingfisher) will not serve you any food inflight unless you pay (Ryanair). We operate out of our hub at London Heathrow (BA) and we don't really want to see you flying with us anytime soon (Biman)."

Possibilities (Mk.II):

1. You were having a streak of good luck.

2. The purser had something serious against at least one of the crews flying, and wanted to 'ill-feed' him (or perhaps keep him unfed).

3. (You'll HATE me for saying this one) You know about the crime often associated with serving of food?

Hands on heart, I sincerely hope you were privileged with possibility # 1. :)

I shudder to think about #3 and just hope it was one of the many left over meals, which they do normal used to have (my friend's dad and my father tenant Capt. Tahir, used to bring home these meals from his short flights on occasion).

#2 is a possibility and I feel sorry for the starving crew member. And so it would be best if #1 was the truth.

Having said that, I refuse to believe all cabin crew of BG are ill trained, incompetent, insolent, or lazy or any combination thereof. and that every inflight service is a service from hell.

SAMARUF: How do I get a jacket of 10 tickets these days? Haven't you moved on to e-tickets?

BIMAN: We not care. You not have jackets...we not give tickets. We sell e-ticket but no jacket. You understand?



What? Are you stupid? Out of the 670, 600 are employed not to do anything. They are doing their job fine!

Hypothetically though, if a couple of guys were employed to copy and paste...the result might've been like this:

"Biman is the state-owned carrier of the United Arab Emirates (Emirates) operating a fleet of over 400 Boeing 737s (Southwest) to 66 destinations across the globe (Singapore Airlines). Despite our Chairman Dr. Vijay Mallya's strong liking of women in swimsuits, our conservative-minded slim and slender cabin crews wearing miniskirts (Kingfisher) will not serve you any food inflight unless you pay (Ryanair). We operate out of our hub at London Heathrow (BA) and we don't really want to see you flying with us anytime soon (Biman)."

You forgot the pay toilet part. :)

. Need to chec (I am in a tea garden in the Srimongol right now)..

Perhaps you would post some pictures from your trip on the ZYL thread? Speaking of trip, Mr QGR, do you think you could hook me up for one of those tea garden trips, next time I'm in Bangladesh (don't know when though). I've always wanted to do it but did not know anybody connected to tea gardens.

On another note, and sorry to bring it up on this thread however, since you never post in other threads:

I don't know whether you work for a private bank or public but don't you think it is more than time to set up some banking facilities here in the US for the expats (NRBs)? The money exchanges are quite a hassle and not very efficient or fast and WU is daylight robbery! You folks should try and mimic Citibank's (NRI) Citi Rupee account. Lately, I have seen many Indian and Pakistani banks to have begun similar schemes.

You forgot the pay toilet part. :)

Didn't forget, but I think it'll be more encouraging than disappointing. You probably haven't been to Dhaka recently, or else you would've noticed that wherever it's written that "taking a leak here is prohibited and/or punishable"...that very spot goes flooded in no time at all as it throws an undeniable challenge upon the bladder-inflated pedestrians to do it and get away without being caught or penalized.

Now imagine that in an aircraft...!

Didn't forget, but I think it'll be more encouraging than disappointing. You probably haven't been to Dhaka recently, or else you would've noticed that wherever it's written that "taking a leak here is prohibited and/or punishable"...that very spot goes flooded in no time at all as it throws an undeniable challenge upon the bladder-inflated pedestrians to do it and get away without being caught or penalized.

Now imagine that in an aircraft...!
^^ Reminded me of these:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Bangladesh%20Signs/image004.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Bangladesh%20Signs/image009.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Bangladesh%20Signs/image010.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Bangladesh%20Signs/image013.jpg

One is english and cant understand that! Anyone wish to english me with what is says?

United Airways (BD) Limited, the country’s leading private airline, will start flying on Dhaka–Dubai route from July 10 2009 to carry passengers from Bangladesh.

United Airways has been allowed to fly international routes in a major boost to country’s fledgling aviation industry. “We have already obtained the permission from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to operate the route and our own MD-83 having 160 seats including 8 business class seats is joining the fleet by June 26 and will fly to Dubai from July 10, 2009. Our one more MD-83 having same seat configuration will be added to the fleet of United Airways to fly on Dhaka–Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka–Kathmandu and Dhaka–Bangkok routes.” Capt. Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury, Chairman and Managing Director, United Airways told.

Fingers crossed, hope not another GMG!!!:ohno:

United Airways (BD) Limited, the country’s leading private airline, will start flying on Dhaka–Dubai route from July 10 2009 to carry passengers from Bangladesh.

United Airways has been allowed to fly international routes in a major boost to country’s fledgling aviation industry. “We have already obtained the permission from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to operate the route and our own MD-83 having 160 seats including 8 business class seats is joining the fleet by June 26 and will fly to Dubai from July 10, 2009. Our one more MD-83 having same seat configuration will be added to the fleet of United Airways to fly on Dhaka–Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka–Kathmandu and Dhaka–Bangkok routes.” Capt. Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury, Chairman and Managing Director, United Airways told.

Fingers crossed, hope not another GMG!!!:ohno:

Why is MD-83 the aircraft of choice for the new airlines of Bangladesh?

I know the NW DC-9 planes that fly over my house several times a day are from the late 60s and 70s but they have been kept in very good condition by Northwest/Delta. Can we vouch for the same level of maintenance by these new companies?

Why is MD-83 the aircraft of choice for the new airlines of Bangladesh?

I know the NW DC-9 planes that fly over my house several times a day are from the late 60s and 70s but they have been kept in very good condition by Northwest/Delta. Can we vouch for the same level of maintenance by these new companies?

Simple answer: very cheap. Given CAAB's incompetency (since it is CAAB's duty to certify equipment) who cares about level of maintenance or lack thereof?

On the other hand, given the huge inventory of MD80s between DL and NW, it is probably very cost effective for them to maintain the fleet.

Fingers crossed, hope not another GMG!!!:ohno:

How much have you invested in United, Mr. Akbar?:lol:

United Airways (BD) Limited, the country’s leading private airline, will start flying on Dhaka–Dubai route from July 10 2009 to carry passengers from Bangladesh.

United Airways has been allowed to fly international routes in a major boost to country’s fledgling aviation industry. “We have already obtained the permission from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to operate the route and our own MD-83 having 160 seats including 8 business class seats is joining the fleet by June 26 and will fly to Dubai from July 10, 2009. Our one more MD-83 having same seat configuration will be added to the fleet of United Airways to fly on Dhaka–Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka–Kathmandu and Dhaka–Bangkok routes.” Capt. Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury, Chairman and Managing Director, United Airways told.

Fingers crossed, hope not another GMG!!!:ohno:

Well, except for the fact that they've chosen to start DXB with an MD-83 and not with a 747, everything else they're doing is in the footsteps of GMG...Dash-8...MD-83...Dubai...!!

Perhaps you would post some pictures from your trip on the ZYL thread? Speaking of trip, Mr QGR, do you think you could hook me up for one of those tea garden trips, next time I'm in Bangladesh (don't know when though). I've always wanted to do it but did not know anybody connected to tea gardens.

On another note, and sorry to bring it up on this thread however, since you never post in other threads:

I don't know whether you work for a private bank or public but don't you think it is more than time to set up some banking facilities here in the US for the expats (NRBs)? The money exchanges are quite a hassle and not very efficient or fast and WU is daylight robbery! You folks should try and mimic Citibank's (NRI) Citi Rupee account. Lately, I have seen many Indian and Pakistani banks to have begun similar schemes.


Just drop me a PM when you're planning to visit BD next time... I'll arrange the rest...

By the way, that reminds me, I have to liquidate the IOU as well... :D

Unfortunately, me and camera doesn't go together. So, sorry about the pics... :(

As far as Banking is concerned, I am with an international bank .... I understand the difficulties of NRBs for doing banking transaction smoothly. However, for that the local banks can hardly be blamed. The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of Bangladesh, which is completely outdated and obsolete, creates severe hindrance for providing modern banking services like Citi Rupee account. Bangladeshi local private banks are much more progressive than any Indian or Pakistani banks (I am saying this despite working whole of my life in multinational bank...), but unfortunately our central bank and government are not opening up enough to enable them expanding their horizon.

OMG, on average how many of the shrimps who started the journey survived the HS-748 & reached destination safely?

I need to consult a shrimp expert to give you the exact stats, however, I think the survival rate is/was satisfactory. Because a significant number of shrimp operators used HS 748 (Best and Zoom essentially did) and did good business too... at least better that the pax operators.

I found total 7 B707 registered for BG. Can anyone tell whether I missed any?

Color of S2-ACK and S2-ACG clearly reveals its previous identity.

S2-ABN

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ABN.jpg

S2-ABQ

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ABQ.jpg

S2-ACA

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACA.jpg

S2-ACE

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACE.jpg

S2-ACF

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACF.jpg

S2-ACG

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACG.jpg

S2-ACK

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACK.jpg

Indeed! That was S2-ACK (MSN/CN 20018/761), and was donated by Kuwait Airways. After delivery, the aircraft still had basic Kuwait Airways livery with Biman's titles added as seen here:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/BG707-1.jpg

And shortly after, the tail was painted in matching blue while retaining the Kuwaiti cheatline as seen here:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/BG707-2.jpg


On another note, Biman also had ex-Northwest (then Northwest Orient), and ex-Pan Am B707s in its fleet too at that time. Another 707 was also leased from Aer Lingus for a short period.

last time i saw this aircraft was back in 2003 at ZIA when I was leaving for Muscat, where is it now? :P scrapyard?

SAMARUF: How do I get a jacket of 10 tickets these days? Haven't you moved on to e-tickets?

BIMAN: We not care. You not have jackets...we not give tickets. We sell e-ticket but no jacket. You understand?



What? Are you stupid? Out of the 670, 600 are employed not to do anything. They are doing their job fine!

Hypothetically though, if a couple of guys were employed to copy and paste...the result might've been like this:

"Biman is the state-owned carrier of the United Arab Emirates (Emirates) operating a fleet of over 400 Boeing 737s (Southwest) to 66 destinations across the globe (Singapore Airlines). Despite our Chairman Dr. Vijay Mallya's strong liking of women in swimsuits, our conservative-minded slim and slender cabin crews wearing miniskirts (Kingfisher) will not serve you any food inflight unless you pay (Ryanair). We operate out of our hub at London Heathrow (BA) and we don't really want to see you flying with us anytime soon (Biman)."

HAHAHAHAHA LMAO :lol:

MD-83 is a bad choice.... The 737's have taken a hammering recently and makes them fare more attractive than the MD's...

Lower fuel burn, lower lease cost, blendid winglets and a far better appeal than a MD-82/83

Well, except for the fact that they've chosen to start DXB with an MD-83 and not with a 747, everything else they're doing is in the footsteps of GMG...Dash-8...MD-83...Dubai...!!

DXB is another CCU, everybody wants to fly there with little thoughts on hard facts. But then all of them probably feel they can do better.

Just drop me a PM when you're planning to visit BD next time... I'll arrange the rest...
Thanks!

By the way, that reminds me, I have to liquidate the IOU as well... :D
What kind of bribe do I need to bring for you from here to prevent the liquidation? :colgate:

As far as Banking is concerned, I am with an international bank .... I understand the difficulties of NRBs for doing banking transaction smoothly. However, for that the local banks can hardly be blamed. The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of Bangladesh, which is completely outdated and obsolete, creates severe hindrance for providing modern banking services like Citi Rupee account. Bangladeshi local private banks are much more progressive than any Indian or Pakistani banks (I am saying this despite working whole of my life in multinational bank...), but unfortunately our central bank and government are not opening up enough to enable them expanding their horizon.

I should have guessed as much. Why don't the banks lobby GoB/BB or don't they have much interest for it?

I should have guessed as much. Why don't the banks lobby GoB/BB or don't they have much interest for it?

Most of the owner/directors of these banks are politically affiliated as well, and till now, politics is more profitable than banking any day of week. So while this issue has been raised time to time, but there were more priority issues...

MD-83 is a bad choice.... The 737's have taken a hammering recently and makes them fare more attractive than the MD's...

Lower fuel burn, lower lease cost, blendid winglets and a far better appeal than a MD-82/83

Unfortunately, MD-80/82/83 are far more cheaper than B737... and as Iasif said, local operators have grown this tendency to follow the footstep of GMG (except that Best Air).

Imran, I along with some fellow students have to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment report for college. Is it possible to assess the proposed second runway at DAC? It's only for academic purpose, no heavy stuff, just have to mention 3-4 alternative locations, screen out 1 or 2 on the basis of some wider topics, then do some more detailed assessment (scoping) on the rest. Does concerned authority at DAC allow such projects?

Unfortunately, MD-80/82/83 are far more cheaper than B737... and as Iasif said, local operators have grown this tendency to follow the footstep of GMG (except that Best Air).

Don't hold your breath over the highlighted part of your post...as Mr. NG is marketing the following:

http://www.md87vip.com/home.html

And no, I'm not drunk...he really is!

last time i saw this aircraft was back in 2003 at ZIA when I was leaving for Muscat, where is it now? :P scrapyard?

2003??? It is decades past the scrapyard if I'm not mistaken. You may have actually had a beer in a can made out of it!

Imran, I along with some fellow students have to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment report for college. Is it possible to assess the proposed second runway at DAC? It's only for academic purpose, no heavy stuff, just have to mention 3-4 alternative locations, screen out 1 or 2 on the basis of some wider topics, then do some more detailed assessment (scoping) on the rest. Does concerned authority at DAC allow such projects?

I'm not sure yet about how you want to approach your topic, but I'd be glad to be of any help. However, I don't suppose getting cooperation from the CAAB will be easy to come by.

Don't hold your breath over the highlighted part of your post...as Mr. NG is marketing the following:

http://www.md87vip.com/home.html

And no, I'm not drunk...he really is!

That MD87ER looks pretty good except the view of the flight deck which clearly reveals its age....

By the way, is Mr. NG marketing for Bangladeshi market? For whom?? Shrimps???

I'm not sure yet about how you want to approach your topic, but I'd be glad to be of any help. However, I don't suppose getting cooperation from the CAAB will be easy to come by.

First we'll propose 3-4 locations around the existing runway where the new one can be made (BAF part of the airport, northern part of the existing rwy etc), then we'll rate each location on the basis of impacts like air pollution, noise, resettlement etc on people living in surrounding areas. After screening out unsuitable locations (which fare badly in rating), we'll do a more detailed rating on suitable options on the basis of impact on ecosystem, landscape, lowering building height on edge of rwy etc. Actually I think the cooperation of people living in surrounding areas & Google earth would be more important than CAAB.

2003??? It is decades past the scrapyard if I'm not mistaken. You may have actually had a beer in a can made out of it!

yes it was in 2003 lol! at night standing beside the Singapore Airlines aircraft i remember...... and no, i never had a beer hehe :P

Don't hold your breath over the highlighted part of your post...as Mr. NG is marketing the following:

http://www.md87vip.com/home.html

And no, I'm not drunk...he really is!

How do you know it's him? The About US and Contact US have no information.

yes it was in 2003 lol! at night standing beside the Singapore Airlines aircraft i remember...... and no, i never had a beer hehe :P

Biman stared phasing out the 707s in 1983, and although I don't have the exact date readily available, the last 707 left Biman well before the '90s. It's easier to believe that you saw an UFO and eight-eyed aliens than to believe that you saw a BG 707 at DAC in 2003!

Biman stared phasing out the 707s in 1983, and although I don't have the exact date readily available, the last 707 left Biman well before the '90s. It's easier to believe that you saw an UFO and eight-eyed aliens than to believe that you saw a BG 707 at DAC in 2003!

hahahah maybe..... its "B707" btw :D , well what makes me say its a B707 is that the tail was blue which was the only part of the aircraft i could see (rest being covered by SQ ac) and later tht year, i saw in a bangla newspaper with tht aircraft of BGs (i forgot what the news was)! :P

Does anyone have picture of biman B707 cabins? it will be interestin to see if they had the flowery seats.

hahahah maybe..... its "B707" btw :D , well what makes me say its a B707 is that the tail was blue which was the only part of the aircraft i could see (rest being covered by SQ ac) and later tht year, i saw in a bangla newspaper with tht aircraft of BGs (i forgot what the news was)! :P

BG 707 = Biman 707.

And for the records, there haven't been any 707's belonging to BG since the type was completely retired in the late-80s. There's a a bit of a possibility that you may have seen this one (though the timing of 2003 still doesn't quite add-up):

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/southasian707.jpg

This particular 707-3K1C is now owned by "Mid Express Tchad" with the Reg # TT-DAX.

I found total 7 B707 registered for BG. Can anyone tell whether I missed any?

Since you brought the nostalgia over with the pics, I thought I'd add some interesting info about some of these classics:

- S2-ABQ was an ex-PIA bird (AP-AWV) which was donated to Biman In November 1976. This aircraft suffered from an act of terrorism earlier in July 1975 when a bomb placed under a passenger seat exploded at Islamabad airport causing a hole in the fuselage of the aircraft which was successfully repaired. Biman lost this aircraft at Singapore in a crash shortly after take-off from the Paya Lebar airport in April 1980. Here's a photo of the aircraft at delivery to Biman in Dacca:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/PIAtoBG707.jpg


- S2-ACE, originally delivered to Northwest Orient in 1968 and later donated to Biman by Japan in 1978 remained in active service until 2006 as a freighter with 'BETA Cargo' of Brazil (Reg # PP-BRI).

- S2-ACG, a 1966 vintage, was the very aircraft that was leased to Universal Studios (from 28 Jan '69 - 8 Mar '69) for the original 'Airport' movie. The aircraft was on lease to Biman from Aer Lingus from May to November 1980.


In July 1976, Biman had published this advert seeking 707s for lease or purchase:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/Biman707.jpg


And this is an exciting pic: the then PIA hangar of the 'Dacca Airport', East Pakistan built specifically to accommodate the 707s! The structure still stands erect to this day, exactly as in this 1960s pic (only painted for BAF now) adjacent to the 'Shaheed Jahangir Gate' entrance of the Dhaka Cantonment.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/tejgaonhangar.jpg

:)

Since you brought the nostalgia over with the pics, I thought I'd add some interesting info about some of these classics:

- S2-ABQ was an ex-PIA bird (AP-AWV) which was donated to Biman In November 1976. This aircraft suffered from an act of terrorism earlier in July 1975 when a bomb placed under a passenger seat exploded at Islamabad airport causing a hole in the fuselage of the aircraft which was successfully repaired. Biman lost this aircraft at Singapore in a crash shortly after take-off from the Paya Lebar airport in April 1980. Here's a photo of the aircraft at delivery to Biman in Dacca:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/PIAtoBG707.jpg


- S2-ACE, originally delivered to Northwest Orient in 1968 and later donated to Biman by Japan in 1978 remained in active service until 2006 as a freighter with 'BETA Cargo' of Brazil (Reg # PP-BRI).

- S2-ACG, a 1966 vintage, was the very aircraft that was leased to Universal Studios (from 28 Jan '69 - 8 Mar '69) for the original 'Airport' movie. The aircraft was on lease to Biman from Aer Lingus from May to November 1980.


In July 1976, Biman had published this advert seeking 707s for lease or purchase:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/Biman707.jpg


And this is an exciting pic: the then PIA hangar of the 'Dacca Airport', East Pakistan built specifically to accommodate the 707s! The structure still stands erect to this day, exactly as in this 1960s pic (only painted for BAF now) adjacent to the 'Shaheed Jahangir Gate' entrance of the Dhaka Cantonment.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/tejgaonhangar.jpg

:)
i presume the kids in the rickshaw are from shaheen school

How much have you invested in United, Mr. Akbar?:lol:


It's not about money, I just want to see a local BD airline do well in the internalional arena, and I belive United has the potential to do this. It's time someone reprecent Bangladesh, can't stand Biman, they are soo like GoB, get my drift!

It's not about money, I just want to see a local BD airline do well in the internalional arena, and I belive United has the potential to do this. It's time someone reprecent Bangladesh, can't stand Biman, they are soo like GoB, get my drift!

They're certainly doing better than GMG or Aviana (Royal Bengal), but whether they can grow further sustainably is what time will tell.

As for Biman, well, it has always been an govt. owned airline...and being such, it's difficult to expect them to do any better than the government which control them. The sad thing is it's a case of tremendous potentials thrown down the drain.

Does anyone have picture of biman B707 cabins? it will be interestin to see if they had the flowery seats.

Imran bro, do u think the new aircrafts of BG (leased/ordered ones) would have the flowery seats or one color seats like other airlines?

Imram, your comments about Aviana [RBA] are un warrented? What makes you think that United is doing better than them>? Just cause they have jet aircraft in the shape of a MD-82?

United have already posted losses, and may likely continue if they jump on the heavily croweded Dubai Market.

Aviania are a sleeping Giant, but the tiger is stirring!

Unfortunately, MD-80/82/83 are far more cheaper than B737... and as Iasif said, local operators have grown this tendency to follow the footstep of GMG (except that Best Air).

Not to run they are not... the only 'good' about them is they are cheap to lease because their LRF are so low.

But.. Saying that UA & CO have parked most of their fleet the LRF for classic models of the 737 type can be found to have a lower lease rate than a MD! A mass 'pile' on the market has dramtically reduced lease rentals.

Compare it against now the DOC between a MD & 737, you will find that the 737 would come trumps up the older MD's

I dont think we should be bunching everyone to the same "footstep of GMG' only because they are operating Dash 8's to start off with. The Dash 8 is a wonderful aircraft, nice for passengers, DOC are low for operations that the aircraft currently do in Bangladesh. An ideal choice for the three operators.

F28 of Biman being the exception [which we shall leave alone]

Not to run they are not... the only 'good' about them is they are cheap to lease because their LRF are so low.

But.. Saying that UA & CO have parked most of their fleet the LRF for classic models of the 737 type can be found to have a lower lease rate than a MD! A mass 'pile' on the market has dramtically reduced lease rentals.

Compare it against now the DOC between a MD & 737, you will find that the 737 would come trumps up the older MD's

I dont think we should be bunching everyone to the same "footstep of GMG' only because they are operating Dash 8's to start off with. The Dash 8 is a wonderful aircraft, nice for passengers, DOC are low for operations that the aircraft currently do in Bangladesh. An ideal choice for the three operators.

F28 of Biman being the exception [which we shall leave alone]

I fully agree with you on MDs. B 737 classic will be a far better aircraft than MDs any day of the week. I also firmly believe that BG should procure couple of B 737 Classic (probably -500 or -300 series) to replace its F28 fleet for domestic and regional routes.

As for following up the footstep of GMG, well, its not only Dash 8, the fleet and route planning have blindly been followed. More than what they actually have done, the underlying spirit was shockingly same, to bank on the failure of Biman. This is an negative mentality which unfortunately prevailed among the private operators so far came in to service and one of the prime reason for their failure too.

Aviania are a sleeping Giant, but the tiger is stirring!

Really? How's so??

.... to bank on the failure of Biman. This is an negative mentality which unfortunately prevailed among the private operators so far came in to service and one of the prime reason for their failure too.

That is a business model always guaranteed to fail. Privatization notwithstanding, Biman will always be around in some form or shape. I'm sure the other private carriers in the subcontinent aren't banking on the demise of AI or PK, to succeed.

Imram, your comments about Aviana [RBA] are un warrented? What makes you think that United is doing better than them>? Just cause they have jet aircraft in the shape of a MD-82?

United have already posted losses, and may likely continue if they jump on the heavily croweded Dubai Market.

Aviania are a sleeping Giant, but the tiger is stirring!

I don't make unwarranted comments.

The 'sleeping giant' is one of the 11 operators who were recently assessed by the CAAB, at the recommendation of ICAO during the recently concluded USOAP audit in May, to be less than 50% compliant with the major safety issues on the checklist. ICAO would have liked the CAAB to ground all these 11 operators until they became compliant, which CAAB didn't do (for reason we can all guess)...as a result of which ICAO has listed Bangladesh as one of the 11 states with 'Significant Safety Concern'.

Guess which of the audited operators were found to be more than at least 50% compliant? Biman and United.

You can check up on my facts, if so you'd like. It's time your 'sleeping giant' woke up...sleeping endlessly is as good as being dead.

Since you brought the nostalgia over with the pics, I thought I'd add some interesting info about some of these classics:

Excellent pics mate. As nothing is happening in aviation sector in BD right now can we see some more of these to go back our sweet old days regarding BG and Bangladesh Aviation as a whole?

Here's couple of birds which should bring back some flashbacks:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ABD.jpg

S2-ABD

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ABJ.jpg

S2-ABJ

I don't make unwarranted comments.

The 'sleeping giant' is one of the 11 operators who were recently assessed by the CAAB, at the recommendation of ICAO during the recently concluded USOAP audit in May, to be less than 50% compliant with the major safety issues on the checklist. ICAO would have liked the CAAB to ground all these 11 operators until they became compliant, which CAAB didn't do (for reason we can all guess)...as a result of which ICAO has listed Bangladesh as one of the 11 states with 'Significant Safety Concern'.

Guess which of the audited operators were found to be more than at least 50% compliant? Biman and United.

You can check up on my facts, if so you'd like. It's time your 'sleeping giant' woke up...sleeping endlessly is as good as being dead.

I couldn't agree more with iasif bhai, Royal Bengal is sleeping far too much. What happened to their jazz ma tazz launch here in the UK? that they will soon start London to Dhaka ect ect...they can't even cover much of bd domestic with their soo called tiger dash8!

^^

And this is the most unusual color on BG (and not a hybrid one either):

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACO.jpg

S2-ACO

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:Imram, your comments about Aviana [RBA] are un warrented? What makes you think that United is doing better than them>? Just cause they have jet aircraft in the shape of a MD-82?

United have already posted losses, and may likely continue if they jump on the heavily croweded Dubai Market.

Aviania are a sleeping Giant, but the tiger is stirring!

So how much have you invested with these sleeping giant? are you sure they are not in a coma, the one they might never wake up from!!!

^^

And this is the most unusual color on BG (and not a hybrid one either):

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/ACO.jpg

S2-ACO

I think it just needs a good wash mate.

I think it just needs a good wash mate.

Yap, I would have preferred that a bit cleaner too... but I kind of like that livery, at least better than the present one.

And here is the best looking BG bird so far to me (sorry for repeat post, I think I have already posted it a while back):

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/LX-IDB.jpg

LX-IDB

..... ICAO would have liked the CAAB to ground all these 11 operators until they became compliant, which CAAB didn't do (for reason we can all guess)...as a result of which ICAO has listed Bangladesh as one of the 11 states with 'Significant Safety Concern'.

That is so despicable! Perhaps only officials in countries like Bangladesh (and perhaps some African countries) have little regard for the country's image and no concern for safety because money in their pockets make up for everything.

So sad. :ohno:

I don't make unwarranted comments.

The 'sleeping giant' is one of the 11 operators who were recently assessed by the CAAB, at the recommendation of ICAO during the recently concluded USOAP audit in May, to be less than 50% compliant with the major safety issues on the checklist. ICAO would have liked the CAAB to ground all these 11 operators until they became compliant, which CAAB didn't do (for reason we can all guess)...as a result of which ICAO has listed Bangladesh as one of the 11 states with 'Significant Safety Concern'.

Guess which of the audited operators were found to be more than at least 50% compliant? Biman and United.

You can check up on my facts, if so you'd like. It's time your 'sleeping giant' woke up...sleeping endlessly is as good as being dead.

Doesn't ICAO (USOAP) publish these findings? Are these public records? If yes, couldn't these be cited and written up as op-ed in newspapers? If no, why not, because they ought to be especially where public is concerned.

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2009/06/29/2009-06-29__bus01.jpg

Biman is struggling to operate flights on its existing international routes in the face of operational aircraft dearth, officials said.

The troubled airline has recently been forced to suspend flights to two destinations -- New Delhi and Bangkok -- until end-September and trimmed flights on three other routes -- Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Karachi, as its flyable aircraft on the global routes came down to four.

The latest cutback in flights came after the carrier had returned two leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft to the lessor at a time when a couple of its aircraft remained grounded on technical glitch.

The airline, with four operational aircraft, now runs flights on 16 international routes, down from 18 a month ago.

“We had to cut flights because of aircraft shortage,” Muhammad Zakiul Islam, managing director and chief executive of Biman, told The Daily Star, yesterday.

Gripped by aircraft crunch and a poor travel demand amid recession, the carrier had earlier trimmed flights to several destinations such as Jeddah and Riyadh.

Officials said aircraft shortage has become an added problem for the losing carrier, which is suffering from a price war on several routes as its competitors are cutting down fares. A lack of traffic to Bangkok and Delhi also prompted the decision of flight suspension.

But the main cause of slashing flights to three destinations is aircraft shortage, officials said.

Biman has reduced three flights to Kuala Lumpur, two to Singapore and one to Karachi with officials expecting the situation to continue until leased planes join the Biman fleet.

Zakiul, also a former air force official, was however hopeful about a recovery from current aircraft dearth. He said the recently grounded A-310 would join the fleet within a couple of days, while another grounded DC-10 would be operational by the end of July.

“We hope to come out of the aircraft shortage within October this year,” he said, adding that the carrier recently floated tenders for leasing two Boeing 737-800 and three 777-200/200ER aircraft.

But given the Biman's record of delays in procurement due to frequent changes in decisions, industry analysts found a little prospect of a quick addition of leased planes to its fleet unless the carrier takes decision faster this time.

“Recession has cut demand for flying, making aircraft available for leasing. It may continue for some more months,” said Imran Asif, an aviation industry consultant.

“But Biman will have to take decision fast to get lease of aircraft as some other airlines are also looking for strengthening their fleet through leasing. Unless decision comes fast, Biman may lose its chance to address aircraft shortage,” he said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=94628

That is so despicable! Perhaps only officials in countries like Bangladesh (and perhaps some African countries) have little regard for the country's image and no concern for safety because money in their pockets make up for everything.

So sad. :ohno:

So true. The whole list is:

Angola
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Congo
Djibouti
Guinea Bissau
Kazakhstan
Malawi
Nepal
Rwanda
Zambia

Excellent pics mate. As nothing is happening in aviation sector in BD right now can we see some more of these to go back our sweet old days regarding BG and Bangladesh Aviation as a whole?

Here's couple of birds which should bring back some flashbacks...

Some facts about these 2 birds:

- S2-ABO (not -ABD): was later sold to 'Satair' (became OY-SLE) along with sisterships S2-ABH and S2-ABP through this advert published in June 1990 (note the '44Y widebody interior' note):

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/F27ad.jpg


- S2-ABJ was originally ordered by PIA and was supposed to be delivered to PIA as AP-AWM in 1971. Due to the separation of East Pakistan and the creation of the independent Bangladesh in December 1971, PIA did not take delivery of a number of aircraft including this one which would've been surplus in their fleet. Consequently, the Dutch government donated the aircraft to the new independent nation that Bangladesh became. The aircraft later crashed short of Zia Intl Airport in August 1984 killing all 49 people on board. The accident remains till date the worst (in terms of fatalities) in the history of Bangladesh.

Doesn't ICAO (USOAP) publish these findings? Are these public records? If yes, couldn't these be cited and written up as op-ed in newspapers? If no, why not, because they ought to be especially where public is concerned.

The objective of the ICAO USOAP audit is not to victimize operators, but rather to ascertain that the civil aviation authorities of its 190 contracting states are ensuring the safety issues of their respective operators in light of the 18 Annexes of the Chicago Convention.

Whenever a non-compliance is found in part of the operators, ICAO expects that the CAA the operator is under will take necessary corrective actions. The audit team which recently audited CAAB simply told the CAAB to assess the operators based on parameters defined by the audit team and instructed to classify them in 2 groups (i) at least 50% compliant with the pertinent safety issues, and (ii) less than 50% compliant with the pertinent safety issues. It also indicated that the ones in excess of 50% compliance should be allowed a specific period of time to complete remaining compliance issues while their operations should continue; and that ones demonstrating less than 50% compliance should have their flight operations suspended, for the greater safety of the travellers, until such time they're able to demonstrate at least 50% compliance.

Consequently, the Dutch government donated the aircraft to the new independent nation that Bangladesh became.

How come BG managed so many donations during the early stage of its life? Though a bit embarrassing to ask, why this has completely stopped now? The last offer was essentially made by Kuwait Airways, which was declined due to non-availability of finance the refurbishment cost among others...

The aircraft later crashed short of Zia Intl Airport in August 1984 killing all 49 people on board. The accident remains till date the worst (in terms of fatalities) in the history of Bangladesh.

That one I clearly remembered. In fact Capt. Kaniz Fatema Rokshana was our neighbor that time and whole incident was unfortunate like any other accident.

.....that ones demonstrating less than 50% compliance should have their flight operations suspended, for the greater safety of the travellers, until such time they're able to demonstrate at least 50% compliance.

There is more than just money involved for CAAB action (or inaction rather... ) regarding ICAO audit recommendation. Private airline operation in Bangladesh is no way profitable enough for the promoters to pay huge amount of bribes to keep their operation alive. Even for mere safeguarding their investment, spending the amount of money (I have no clue as to how big it could be, but a mere common sense tells me it can't be that big considering the size of the whole industry) to influence the government sounds hardly economically viable ... unless you tell me that these promoters are running their airlines out of sheer passion for aviation industry!!!!

There is more than just money involved for CAAB action (or inaction rather... ) regarding ICAO audit recommendation. Private airline operation in Bangladesh is no way profitable enough for the promoters to pay huge amount of bribes to keep their operation alive. Even for mere safeguarding their investment, spending the amount of money (I have no clue as to how big it could be, but a mere common sense tells me it can't be that big considering the size of the whole industry) to influence the government sounds hardly economically viable ... unless you tell me that these promoters are running their airlines out of sheer passion for aviation industry!!!!

The funny, and also unfortunate thing is, many of these operators actually pay the dough to avoid compliance issues that'd mostly cost them a fraction of what they pay to avoid! I'm not sure if you'd readily agree with me, but the one thing that is lacking in our local airline industry is the 'knowledge', more than anything else!

Only if they'd try to seek some knowledge, they'd actually save themselves from having to pay a lot of money to people who knows that the operators' ignorance is their bliss!

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2009/06/29/2009-06-29__bus01.jpg

Biman is struggling to operate flights on its existing international routes in the face of operational aircraft dearth, officials said.

The troubled airline has recently been forced to suspend flights to two destinations -- New Delhi and Bangkok -- until end-September and trimmed flights on three other routes -- Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Karachi, as its flyable aircraft on the global routes came down to four.

The latest cutback in flights came after the carrier had returned two leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft to the lessor at a time when a couple of its aircraft remained grounded on technical glitch.

The airline, with four operational aircraft, now runs flights on 16 international routes, down from 18 a month ago.

“We had to cut flights because of aircraft shortage,” Muhammad Zakiul Islam, managing director and chief executive of Biman, told The Daily Star, yesterday.

Gripped by aircraft crunch and a poor travel demand amid recession, the carrier had earlier trimmed flights to several destinations such as Jeddah and Riyadh.

Officials said aircraft shortage has become an added problem for the losing carrier, which is suffering from a price war on several routes as its competitors are cutting down fares. A lack of traffic to Bangkok and Delhi also prompted the decision of flight suspension.

But the main cause of slashing flights to three destinations is aircraft shortage, officials said.

Biman has reduced three flights to Kuala Lumpur, two to Singapore and one to Karachi with officials expecting the situation to continue until leased planes join the Biman fleet.

Zakiul, also a former air force official, was however hopeful about a recovery from current aircraft dearth. He said the recently grounded A-310 would join the fleet within a couple of days, while another grounded DC-10 would be operational by the end of July.

“We hope to come out of the aircraft shortage within October this year,” he said, adding that the carrier recently floated tenders for leasing two Boeing 737-800 and three 777-200/200ER aircraft.

But given the Biman's record of delays in procurement due to frequent changes in decisions, industry analysts found a little prospect of a quick addition of leased planes to its fleet unless the carrier takes decision faster this time.

“Recession has cut demand for flying, making aircraft available for leasing. It may continue for some more months,” said Imran Asif, an aviation industry consultant.

“But Biman will have to take decision fast to get lease of aircraft as some other airlines are also looking for strengthening their fleet through leasing. Unless decision comes fast, Biman may lose its chance to address aircraft shortage,” he said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=94628

Imran bro, good to see u in DailyStar XD!

So true. The whole list is:

Angola
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Congo
Djibouti
Guinea Bissau
Kazakhstan
Malawi
Nepal
Rwanda
Zambia

What is this list for?

I'm not sure if you'd readily agree with me, but the one thing that is lacking in our local airline industry is the 'knowledge', more than anything else!

How can you even have doubt about my agreement on that!!!!

However, to be fair on the promoters/entrepreneurs, any industry at its beginning have the same problem in countries like ours, where government and professional support is absent to a great extent. The major problem to me is 'unwillingness to acquire knowledge' (in other words, learn from mistake) to some degree which we have clearly seen among our local operators.

What is this list for?

Something none of us are really proud off.... :(

The countries with significant safety concerns as per ICAO.

What is this list for?

States whose CAA's have been subjected to 'Significant Safety Concerns' by the ICAO owing to the lack of proper regulations and/or practice thereof, pertinent to safety.

Here's the exact definition:
A significant safety concern occurs when the audited State allows the holder of an authorization or approval to exercise the privileges attached to it, although the minimum requirements established by the State and by the Standards set forth in the ICAO Annexes are not met, resulting in an immediate safety risk to international civil aviation. If such a deficiency is identified during an audit, ICAO Headquarters is notified immediately and within fifteen days, the Organization will validate the finding. If the finding is considered to be a bona fide significant safety concern, a notification letter will be sent to the State to take immediate corrective action within a specified time frame (normally two weeks). Typically, the action expected from a State would be to effectively limit, suspend or cancel the non-compliant authorization or approval. If a State does not respond appropriately by notifying ICAO of the actions that it will take, the significant safety concern is made available to all Contracting States through ICAO’s secure website. This information remains posted until the significant safety concern is resolved. It should be emphasized that these measures are taken in the interest of safety and transparency. ICAO remains committed to assisting States in resolving such deficiencies and is prepared to assist the concerned States.

FYI, that list is what is currently available at the secure website mentioned above.

Yap, I would have preferred that a bit cleaner too... but I kind of like that livery, at least better than the present one.

And here is the best looking BG bird so far to me (sorry for repeat post, I think I have already posted it a while back):

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp352/QGR14/LX-IDB.jpg

LX-IDB

Wow, I didn't know Biman flew a DC-8. Which year was this?

The Daily Star article mentions there are only 4 Biman wide-body planes available for international operations. For a country of 140-150 million, "er theke ar dukhkhojonok ki hote pare?"

Wow, I didn't know Biman flew a DC-8. Which year was this?

Leased in November 1980 from Cargolux for about a year.

The Daily Star article mentions there are only 4 Biman wide-body planes available for international operations. For a country of 140-150 million, "er theke ar dukhkhojonok ki hote pare?"

"er theke ar dukhkhojonok ki hote pare?" = there were 3 serviceable widebody aircraft a day ago...more "dukhkhojonok" by the margin of 1 full aircraft!

one question.. i remember that A310 used to have personal TV on J class....do they work still? or do they even have them?

I dont think we should be bunching everyone to the same "footstep of GMG' only because they are operating Dash 8's to start off with. The Dash 8 is a wonderful aircraft, nice for passengers, DOC are low for operations that the aircraft currently do in Bangladesh. An ideal choice for the three operators.

- The primary reason why both United and Aviana (Royal Bengal) followed GMG with the Dash-8s is because they knew that mechanic/engineers and pilots for the type were already available working with GMG, and a few of them could be bought up to help United/RBA begin operations. That eventually happened, and both United and RBA did start off with ex-GMG staff conversant with the Dash-8. If I'm not mistaken, the MD & CEO of RBA himself worked with GMG (probably as a pilot) and earned his type-rating on Dash-8s while working for GMG. I can perhaps dig more about this fact to be absolutely sure.

- Dash-8s are better-suited for hot (or cold) & high performance and sectors which require its speed. For the typical sector lengths for domestic ops in Bangladesh (and also including CCU), the ATR-72 would be far more economical to operate as its DOC is significantly lower than Dash 8-300/400 (obviously because of the lower thrust engines).

This lower DOC compared to the Dash-8s and the fact that they can be operated out of narrower airstrips are the reasons why Indian operators had chosen the ATR-72s over the Dash-8s.

- The primary reason why both United and Aviana (Royal Bengal) followed GMG with the Dash-8s is because they knew that mechanic/engineers and pilots for the type were already available working with GMG, and a few of them could be bought up to help United/RBA begin operations. That eventually happened, and both United and RBA did start off with ex-GMG staff conversant with the Dash-8. If I'm not mistaken, the MD & CEO of RBA himself worked with GMG (probably as a pilot) and earned his type-rating on Dash-8s while working for GMG. I can perhaps dig more about this fact to be absolutely sure.

- Dash-8s are better-suited for hot (or cold) & high performance and sectors which require its speed. For the typical sector lengths for domestic ops in Bangladesh (and also including CCU), the ATR-72 would be far more economical to operate as its DOC is significantly lower than Dash 8-300/400 (obviously because of the lower thrust engines).

This lower DOC compared to the Dash-8s and the fact that they can be operated out of narrower airstrips are the reasons why Indian operators had chosen the ATR-72s over the Dash-8s.

But the DASH-8s are far cheaper than the ATRs aren't they? It appears to me that the Bangladesh private carriers always choose the cheapest option for anything.

For their long term viability in the domestic market, many including Imran, suggested that the equipment of choice ought to be a 19-seat commuter. I am yet to see any of these carriers talk about it let alone procure one.

Guess which of the audited operators were found to be more than at least 50% compliant? Biman and United.

My post was talking about RBA [Aviana]

Some facts about these 2 birds:

- S2-ABO (not -ABD): was later sold to 'Satair' (became OY-SLE) along with sisterships S2-ABH and S2-ABP through this advert published in June 1990 (note the '44Y widebody interior' note):

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/F27ad.jpg


- S2-ABJ was originally ordered by PIA and was supposed to be delivered to PIA as AP-AWM in 1971. Due to the separation of East Pakistan and the creation of the independent Bangladesh in December 1971, PIA did not take delivery of a number of aircraft including this one which would've been surplus in their fleet. Consequently, the Dutch government donated the aircraft to the new independent nation that Bangladesh became. The aircraft later crashed short of Zia Intl Airport in August 1984 killing all 49 people on board. The accident remains till date the worst (in terms of fatalities) in the history of Bangladesh.

pilot in command was Rokhsana Apa

I couldn't agree more with iasif bhai, Royal Bengal is sleeping far too much. What happened to their jazz ma tazz launch here in the UK? that they will soon start London to Dhaka ect ect...they can't even cover much of bd domestic with their soo called tiger dash8!

The point is while United have grown [leased and brought] additional aircraft they have done it at a significant cost. They have posted huges losses and yet to break a profit.

During the last couple of 'boom' years Dash 8-100's brought silly lease rentals and high purchase costs, so now United have got assets on their books that are not really worth what they paid for? [take for example S2-AAA of GMG, they can't move it due to the fact that it has a seriously big price]

RBA's plans to London / Dhaka were met with problems by the CAA that simply wouldn't give the route over.

My post was talking about RBA [Aviana]

And RBA/Aviana is among the 11 operators who have failed to meet the minimum level of 50% compliance.

one question.. i remember that A310 used to have personal TV on J class....do they work still? or do they even have them?

that would be great IF they REALLY HAD personal screens on the A310 (even if AVOD wasnt available), but no, I have never seen personal screens in any BG aircrafts, tho im not sure about DC-10s.

that would be great IF they REALLY HAD personal screens on the A310 (even if AVOD wasnt available), but no, I have never seen personal screens in any BG aircrafts, tho im not sure about DC-10s.

i think about 7 or 8 years ago.... in diganto magazine.... showed that A310 has personal Tv with 4 channels... AFAIK DC-10 doesnt have any personal tv.... but seat were comfy in J-Class... much much better leg room :)

The point is while United have grown [leased and brought] additional aircraft they have done it at a significant cost. They have posted huges losses and yet to break a profit.

During the last couple of 'boom' years Dash 8-100's brought silly lease rentals and high purchase costs, so now United have got assets on their books that are not really worth what they paid for? [take for example S2-AAA of GMG, they can't move it due to the fact that it has a seriously big price]

RBA's plans to London / Dhaka were met with problems by the CAA that simply wouldn't give the route over.

What are you getting at? RBA has also bought Dash-8s just like United did...no? And as for S2-AAA, the Dash-8 doesn't have the price...it's what Z5 is asking for...and they can ask anything that they like. Whether anyone is willing to pay that much for it is another question!

And as for RBA's UK-Bangladesh flights, which CAA are you talking about...and which year? In 2007, I knew I could get 4x frequencies between Dhaka and London (2x Heathrow and 2x Gatwick). That's when Biman used more frequencies than they do now. I don't think RBA ever made an eligible attempt at the first place.

i have been a frequent flyer on biman for nearly 4-5 but i have never seen any screen behinde the seats. on the A310 they did have tv screens on the aisles and thats about it the entertain is not that great.

Anyways does anyone no why Biman do not play the theme music to Ey Podma ey Megna when departing or landing.

can you look at this video and tell me if full flap were deployed i had a few comments on Facebook sayin that full flaps were not deployed before landing. i filmed this afew years ago and uploaded it on youtube. i just love that music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYkDloylN8

can you look at this video and tell me if full flap were deployed i had a few comments on Facebook sayin that full flaps were not deployed before landing.

To me it looks like it was a full-flaps landing. However, it is not always necessary to do a full-flaps landing. A pilot could choose to do a clean, zero-flaps landing if the conditions permit and if he so desires.

And RBA/Aviana is among the 11 operators who have failed to meet the minimum level of 50% compliance.

Skystar320, are you of the the sleeping (lazy) tiger director by any chance?

i have been a frequent flyer on biman for nearly 4-5 but i have never seen any screen behinde the seats. on the A310 they did have tv screens on the aisles and thats about it the entertain is not that great.

Anyways does anyone no why Biman do not play the theme music to Ey Podma ey Megna when departing or landing.

can you look at this video and tell me if full flap were deployed i had a few comments on Facebook sayin that full flaps were not deployed before landing. i filmed this afew years ago and uploaded it on youtube. i just love that music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYkDloylN8

bro, I ve seen this video few months back and dont wanna see it due to the rude comments made by some ppl, makes me really frustrated!

Skystar320, are you of the the sleeping (lazy) tiger director by any chance?

Nope, I'm 21 and currently live in Perth.... Count me out of that

bro, I ve seen this video few months back and dont wanna see it due to the rude comments made by some ppl, makes me really frustrated!

hey i am in the process of deleting all the rude comments. unbelieveable that people would such rude comments. anyways from now i will make sure it stays clean.

Indeed! That was S2-ACK (MSN/CN 20018/761), and was donated by Kuwait Airways. After delivery, the aircraft still had basic Kuwait Airways livery with Biman's titles added as seen here:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/BG707-1.jpg

And shortly after, the tail was painted in matching blue while retaining the Kuwaiti cheatline as seen here:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/TheCoolOnes/BG707-2.jpg


Is it just me or does Biman look way better with the blue livery on it. Maybe its about time we realize that not everything we own has to be our national colours, how it looks should be taken into account as well.

hey i am in the process of deleting all the rude comments. unbelieveable that people would such rude comments. anyways from now i will make sure it stays clean.

thank you :)

Quote from a bbc article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8125719.stm):

Currently, Air India has 210 employees per aircraft - that is nearly double the global norm.

And according to Asif bhai, Biman has 670 employees/aircraft!! :nuts:

The reporter is ranting about AI's poor management. Wonder what he says after he sees BG's numbers.

Quote from a bbc article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8125719.stm):



And according to Asif bhai, Biman has 670 employees/aircraft!! :nuts:

The reporter is ranting about AI's poor management. Wonder what he says after he sees BG's numbers.

For the past couple of weeks, it's been 900:1 at Biman. Any idea about how to file for a record at the Guiness? I think Biman is right there for it...

^^ hahaha nice record for BG :lol:

Nope, I'm 21 and currently live in Perth.... Count me out of that

Deleted

For the past couple of weeks, it's been 900:1 at Biman. Any idea about how to file for a record at the Guiness? I think Biman is right there for it...

Only? BG has 4 serviceable aircraft... Biman can't have only 3,600 people!

The good news though, BG has RFP for 6 aircraft plus the A310, this ratio should take a deep drive...

Imran bhai are these aircraft adequately insured?

I mean obviously no one will insure them if they are not compliant?

Nope, I'm 21 and currently live in Perth.... Count me out of that

So, isn't there a child labor kind of an act in Australia? How come you have end up in the complicated world of aviation at this age... (feel free to say shut up if that sounds too personal...)

skystar320 I think you have made very valid points. Some people are going way too personal in your attack.

Akbar your not a director of United are you? Your posts seem very biased in my opinion (which isn't a bad thing). If you are maybe you can give us some more inside info?

Only? BG has 4 serviceable aircraft... Biman can't have only 3,600 people!

5 aircraft including the F-28. It's still an aircraft you know! ;)

The good news though, BG has RFP for 6 aircraft plus the A310, this ratio should take a deep drive...

RFP for 6+1 aircraft with very little money left! I think the rate of depletion of funds will far outpace the fleet growth they're talking about...unless of course banks like yours consider the salvation of Biman as a CSR act and pour in some cash! :)

Imran bhai are these aircraft adequately insured?

I mean obviously no one will insure them if they are not compliant?

Insurance is a tricky business...and most will happily insure less-than-perfectly-safe airplanes...simply because doing so will potentially make them more money! :)

5 aircraft including the F-28. It's still an aircraft you know! ;)

Really???? I thought once upon a time there was an aircraft called F-28!!!! :D

RFP for 6+1 aircraft with very little money left! I think the rate of depletion of funds will far outpace the fleet growth they're talking about...unless of course banks like yours consider the salvation of Biman as a CSR act and pour in some cash! :)

If any airline in BD qualify for commercial finance, undoubtedly it is BG, despite all its shortcoming. They may have problem with the liquidity, BG has enough financial solvency to lease to 7 aircraft (even with those un-earthly rate, i. e. B747 for hajj).

The way things are progressing, soon enough some of the private ops may require 'CSR' rated finance (some NG type may be)...:lol:

Insurance is a tricky business...and most will happily insure less-than-perfectly-safe airplanes...simply because doing so will potentially make them more money! :)

Its crazy how these insurance companies work.

Imran Bhai in your opinion are these plane(s) fit to fly?

Are passengers playing with their own soul by flying them?

Why don't CAAB take immediate action by grounding them?

They may have problem with the liquidity, BG has enough financial solvency to lease to 7 aircraft (even with those un-earthly rate, i. e. B747 for hajj).

I can guess where you're coming from, but from what I've been told very recently...that's not the case not anymore. The liquidity situation is terrible at the moment, and I don't know what else of what they've got can you think of to pronounce them as solvent. Any clues?

Sorry....double post.

Imran Bhai in your opinion are these plane(s) fit to fly?

Safety is not just about airplanes being fit to fly. It encompasses crew training, crew duty & rest, emergency response training...and a ton of other things. One single of such a component compromised upon compromises safety. So while these aircraft may (or may not) be fit to fly, some things sure were terribly wrong...so much so that they failed to comply even up to 50% mark!

Are passengers playing with their own soul by flying them?

Hmmm...human passengers and shrimp passengers alike! :)

Why don't CAAB take immediate action by grounding them?

Are you nuts? You would have to be stupid to bite the hands that feeds you! :)

Another accident.....
Yemenia Flight 626 was a scheduled commercial flight that was en route from Sana'a, Yemen to Moroni, Comoros, when it crashed at around 2:50 a.m. on 30 June 2009 (23:50 UTC on 29 June 2009) with 153 aboard.[3][4]

Most of the passengers originated from Paris, with Yemenia flight IY749, on a Yemenia Airbus A330-200 with stops at Marseille Provence Airport in Marseille, France where some of the passengers and crew boarded. After arriving at Sana'a International Airport in Sana'a, Yemen, passengers were moved into an Airbus A310 for flight IY626, which was due to arrive at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in Moroni, Comoros at 2:30 a.m. local time on 30 June.[5]

Contents [hide]
1 Aircraft
2 Accident
3 Search and recovery
4 Passengers and crew
5 References
6 External links



[edit] Aircraft
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A310-324 aircraft, registration 7O-ADJ. The aircraft, manufacturer's serial number 535, had been manufactured in 1990, had been in service for 19 years and 3 months, and had accumulated 51,900 flight hours on about 17,300 flights by the time of the accident.[3][6]

The aircraft entered service with Air Liberté on 30 May 1990, with registration F-GHEJ, on lease from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). On 8 February 1997 it was leased to Aerocancun, as VR-BQU. In March 1997 it was subleased to Adorna Airways, returning to Aerocancun on 3 November 1997. On 26 August 1998 it was leased to Passaredo Transportes Aéreos, as PP-PSE. In September 1999, it was leased to Yemenia, re-registered 7O-ADJ and remained in service with them until the accident.[7]

Dominique Bussereau, the French Minister of Transport, reported that the plane was inspected in 2007 by the French Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile and found to have a number of faults; however, since then the plane had not returned to France and consequently was not reinspected by the same authority.[4]


[edit] Accident
The crash occurred in the Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean several minutes from the airport, near the coast and was witnessed by residents in nearby villages. An unnamed UN official at the airport claimed that the control tower had received a notification that the plane was approaching to land before losing contact.[4] There are unconfirmed reports that the plane had crashed after an aborted landing. There had been several days of inclement weather in the region at the time of the accident.[4] Yemeni civil aviation deputy chief Mohammed Abdul Qader said the wind speed was 61 km/h (38 mph) as the aircraft was landing.[3] Yemeni officials do not suspect foul play.[8] This is the third accident for Yemenia; the previous two were runway incursions with no fatalities, although one aircraft was written off.[9] This was also the second major aircraft crash for Airbus within the same calendar month, following the 1 June crash of Air France Flight 447 with 228 fatalities, also including numerous French citizens.


[edit] Search and recovery
According to the Comoran police, the nation possesses no sea rescue capabilities.[10] Two French military aircraft and a vessel began the formal search for Flight 626.[4]. They were sent from Réunion and Mayotte[5]. The Comoros consists of three volcanic islands, Grande Comore, the main island, Anjouan and Moheli. It is located in the Mozambique Channel, 190 miles (310 km) northwest of Madagascar and a similar distance east of the African mainland.[11]

The wreckage was spotted off the coast of the town of Mitsamiouli, including a few bodies and lots of floating debris in the sea.[12] Officials from Yemenia have confirmed reports of a 5-year-old child who was rescued from the sea.[4][13][14] Other reports state that the survivor might have been 14 years old.[14][15] The pilot of the aircraft was also rescued alive.[2]

The BEA is sending an investigative team, accompanied by Airbus specialists, to assist in the investigation of the causes.[16]


[edit] Passengers and crew
There were 142 passengers and 11 crew aboard. All but two of them were reported to be Comoran. An airport source has claimed that 66 of the passengers held French citizenship, but many of those could be dual French-Comoran citizens.[17][4] Many may have been residents of Marseille, a French city with a large Comoran population, headed home for a vacation; the week of the accident marks the beginning of summer vacations for French school children.[3] The two other persons on board were said to be Europeans.[17][4][12][18]

Airbus VS Boeing?

I wonder what some of the aviation experts would respond to this question, personally, i think though boeing have had more accidents in the past, the ones Airbus made were more fatal than the others. Also today, boeing has far more number of aircrafts than Airbus than any others. I think Airbus needs to improve on certain areas like, fabrication, radar and so on.

I know we are talking about a A310 here, but today, there are still some 727s and 707s running perfectly fine.

and lets face it, None of the airbus models are worth to stand out agianst the boeings,

B737,717= A310, 320= B737 beats them without any judgement (mine)
B747,A380= Airbus 380, built using excessive and untested cf materials, the same cf that Boeing said it will limit until proven safe. Fly the newest Deathplane 380 at your own risk!

B767, 757, 787= A330, A340, A350= well as far as i am concerned, All the boeings have been more successful so except 787, which is not even on service yet

B777= i think it has no rivals, and thats why its been one og the safest and most sucessful model by Boeing ever..... maibe A340 competes with it, but the boeing comes in bigger capacity and range.

Next? hmmm, Boeing will continue to beat Airbus no matter what!

....


RFP for 6+1 aircraft with very little money left! I think the rate of depletion of funds will far outpace the fleet growth they're talking about...unless of course banks like yours consider the salvation of Biman as a CSR act and pour in some cash! :)

"money" left? "funds"? What funds? Where did it come from? I thought Biman was perpetually broke!

Safety is not just about airplanes being fit to fly. It encompasses crew training, crew duty & rest, emergency response training...and a ton of other things. ....

Not that Colgan Air flight 3407 should worry CAAB!

So, isn't there a child labor kind of an act in Australia? How come you have end up in the complicated world of aviation at this age... (feel free to say shut up if that sounds too personal...) :)

QGR, I do think that recent remark is getting way to personal. While I'm always up for an indepth conversation of pro's and con's personal attack's are unwarrented.

Commerical Aviation is fun, its awesome and its hectic and its the only place where I would be [job wise]

I placed my first aircraft via a leasing agency when I was 17, 4weeks out of high school...
I rocked several weeks later with a bottle of wine in my hand to say my thanks to the CEO. He was amazed that a 17yr old could secure a US$2.2million aircraft for him. Saying that we have always kept in touch and are about to place a 2nd aircraft with him.

I dont think age should be a matter in anything though at least you should know what your talking about. Fair enough, I dont know much about the Bangladesh market but are heavily involved through one of the pvt airlines.

.... Fair enough, I dont know much about the Bangladesh market but are heavily involved through one of the pvt airlines.

Would it be RBA (Aviana)?

Yes... I'm talking to them

Yes... I'm talking to them

Perhaps you could advise them to browse our forum?

I should think, that everyone knows about this forum....

I should think, that everyone knows about this forum....
I wouldn't count on it, especially for folks in Bangladesh ... and I don't mean it in any condescending way ... it is just a fact of life.

QGR, I do think that recent remark is getting way to personal. While I'm always up for an indepth conversation of pro's and con's personal attack's are unwarrented.

Commerical Aviation is fun, its awesome and its hectic and its the only place where I would be [job wise]

I placed my first aircraft via a leasing agency when I was 17, 4weeks out of high school...
I rocked several weeks later with a bottle of wine in my hand to say my thanks to the CEO. He was amazed that a 17yr old could secure a US$2.2million aircraft for him. Saying that we have always kept in touch and are about to place a 2nd aircraft with him.

I dont think age should be a matter in anything though at least you should know what your talking about. Fair enough, I dont know much about the Bangladesh market but are heavily involved through one of the pvt airlines.


My sincere apology. This was never ment for a personal attack... but a very poor joke indeed. I am deleting the previous post.

Sorry again.

Spotted S2-AET , displaying Zoom Titles , SHJ June 27.

Flanked by a DC-8, a DC-10 and 2 classic 74`s.

http://www.eprothomalo.com/contents/2009/2009_07_01/content_zoom/2009_07_01_5_14_b.jpg

Published on 1/7/2009 at Prothom alo

Emirates regularly declare online fare, but none I mean, the association of travel agent and The financialexpress doesn't say any thing.

Another accident.....
Yemenia Flight 626 was a scheduled commercial flight that was en route from Sana'a, Yemen to Moroni, Comoros, when it crashed at around 2:50 a.m. on 30 June 2009 (23:50 UTC on 29 June 2009) with 153 aboard.[3][4]

Most of the passengers originated from Paris, with Yemenia flight IY749, on a Yemenia Airbus A330-200 with stops at Marseille Provence Airport in Marseille, France where some of the passengers and crew boarded. After arriving at Sana'a International Airport in Sana'a, Yemen, passengers were moved into an Airbus A310 for flight IY626, which was due to arrive at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in Moroni, Comoros at 2:30 a.m. local time on 30 June.[5]

Contents [hide]
1 Aircraft
2 Accident
3 Search and recovery
4 Passengers and crew
5 References
6 External links



[edit] Aircraft
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A310-324 aircraft, registration 7O-ADJ. The aircraft, manufacturer's serial number 535, had been manufactured in 1990, had been in service for 19 years and 3 months, and had accumulated 51,900 flight hours on about 17,300 flights by the time of the accident.[3][6]

The aircraft entered service with Air Liberté on 30 May 1990, with registration F-GHEJ, on lease from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). On 8 February 1997 it was leased to Aerocancun, as VR-BQU. In March 1997 it was subleased to Adorna Airways, returning to Aerocancun on 3 November 1997. On 26 August 1998 it was leased to Passaredo Transportes Aéreos, as PP-PSE. In September 1999, it was leased to Yemenia, re-registered 7O-ADJ and remained in service with them until the accident.[7]

Dominique Bussereau, the French Minister of Transport, reported that the plane was inspected in 2007 by the French Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile and found to have a number of faults; however, since then the plane had not returned to France and consequently was not reinspected by the same authority.[4]


[edit] Accident
The crash occurred in the Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean several minutes from the airport, near the coast and was witnessed by residents in nearby villages. An unnamed UN official at the airport claimed that the control tower had received a notification that the plane was approaching to land before losing contact.[4] There are unconfirmed reports that the plane had crashed after an aborted landing. There had been several days of inclement weather in the region at the time of the accident.[4] Yemeni civil aviation deputy chief Mohammed Abdul Qader said the wind speed was 61 km/h (38 mph) as the aircraft was landing.[3] Yemeni officials do not suspect foul play.[8] This is the third accident for Yemenia; the previous two were runway incursions with no fatalities, although one aircraft was written off.[9] This was also the second major aircraft crash for Airbus within the same calendar month, following the 1 June crash of Air France Flight 447 with 228 fatalities, also including numerous French citizens.


[edit] Search and recovery
According to the Comoran police, the nation possesses no sea rescue capabilities.[10] Two French military aircraft and a vessel began the formal search for Flight 626.[4]. They were sent from Réunion and Mayotte[5]. The Comoros consists of three volcanic islands, Grande Comore, the main island, Anjouan and Moheli. It is located in the Mozambique Channel, 190 miles (310 km) northwest of Madagascar and a similar distance east of the African mainland.[11]

The wreckage was spotted off the coast of the town of Mitsamiouli, including a few bodies and lots of floating debris in the sea.[12] Officials from Yemenia have confirmed reports of a 5-year-old child who was rescued from the sea.[4][13][14] Other reports state that the survivor might have been 14 years old.[14][15] The pilot of the aircraft was also rescued alive.[2]

The BEA is sending an investigative team, accompanied by Airbus specialists, to assist in the investigation of the causes.[16]


[edit] Passengers and crew
There were 142 passengers and 11 crew aboard. All but two of them were reported to be Comoran. An airport source has claimed that 66 of the passengers held French citizenship, but many of those could be dual French-Comoran citizens.[17][4] Many may have been residents of Marseille, a French city with a large Comoran population, headed home for a vacation; the week of the accident marks the beginning of summer vacations for French school children.[3] The two other persons on board were said to be Europeans.[17][4][12][18]

Another sad news. A lot of plane crashes are happening this year :(, however, 1 child and the pilot of the Yemenia flight was rescued alive!

Airbus VS Boeing?

I wonder what some of the aviation experts would respond to this question, personally, i think though boeing have had more accidents in the past, the ones Airbus made were more fatal than the others. Also today, boeing has far more number of aircrafts than Airbus than any others. I think Airbus needs to improve on certain areas like, fabrication, radar and so on.

I know we are talking about a A310 here, but today, there are still some 727s and 707s running perfectly fine.

and lets face it, None of the airbus models are worth to stand out agianst the boeings,

B737,717= A310, 320= B737 beats them without any judgement (mine)
B747,A380= Airbus 380, built using excessive and untested cf materials, the same cf that Boeing said it will limit until proven safe. Fly the newest Deathplane 380 at your own risk!

B767, 757, 787= A330, A340, A350= well as far as i am concerned, All the boeings have been more successful so except 787, which is not even on service yet

B777= i think it has no rivals, and thats why its been one og the safest and most sucessful model by Boeing ever..... maibe A340 competes with it, but the boeing comes in bigger capacity and range.

Next? hmmm, Boeing will continue to beat Airbus no matter what!

in wiki, there is an article called "competition between Airbus and Boeing", I like Boeing more than Airbus and especially the B777, Boeing is easier and less costly to maintain than the Airbus.

Airbus VS Boeing?

I wonder what some of the aviation experts would respond to this question, personally, i think though boeing have had more accidents in the past, the ones Airbus made were more fatal than the others. Also today, boeing has far more number of aircrafts than Airbus than any others. I think Airbus needs to improve on certain areas like, fabrication, radar and so on.

I know we are talking about a A310 here, but today, there are still some 727s and 707s running perfectly fine.

and lets face it, None of the airbus models are worth to stand out agianst the boeings,

B737,717= A310, 320= B737 beats them without any judgement (mine)
B747,A380= Airbus 380, built using excessive and untested cf materials, the same cf that Boeing said it will limit until proven safe. Fly the newest Deathplane 380 at your own risk!

B767, 757, 787= A330, A340, A350= well as far as i am concerned, All the boeings have been more successful so except 787, which is not even on service yet

B777= i think it has no rivals, and thats why its been one og the safest and most sucessful model by Boeing ever..... maibe A340 competes with it, but the boeing comes in bigger capacity and range.

Next? hmmm, Boeing will continue to beat Airbus no matter what!

Mate, I'm as big a Boeing fan as you probably are...but let's be rational about the comparisons...I love Boeings, but I also have to admit Airbus has made some great airplanes too! And for the love of airplanes, let's cheer both! :)

Here's my beancounters opinion:

B717 vs nothing from Airbus: the 717 was basically a re-engined and modified blend of the DC-9 and MD-80 with a glass cockpit. Boeing never marketed it seriously as it was competing with the smaller of the 737NG's which Boeing was focused to promote as a family of airplanes.

B737 Classics+NG vs. A320 family: Both are highly successful aircraft, and for good reasons too. There are comparative advantages of both types against each other and the suitability of a type for an airline depends on how well these advantages match with the airlines' strengths. Southwest/Ryanair are as successful with the 737s and EasyJet/Air Asia are with the A320s!

B747 vs. A380: Largely different aircraft for different markets. I hope the 747-8 does better than it has so far, because it'd a pity to see the most gracious aircraft ever go away. However, the 747-8's real competitor is not the A380...it's actually Boeing's very own 777-300ER. Airlines will choose between the 777-300ER and the 747-8 by weighing out the difference delta in terms of capacity, range, and relative efficiency. The A380, by all means, is an engineering marvel. It's not about the size...for there have been several aircraft built before the A380 which were much bigger...but its the regulatory restrictions and limitations (standard airport gate size, emergency evacuation regulations, etc.) which were the real challenges. And Airbus did a fantastic job at building the A380 facing such challenges. As for usage of non-metal materials, the 787 will have far more composite materials used to build it (by percentage value) than the A380...and composites are safer than metal in many ways too.

B757/ vs. B737-900ER/A321: Not an apple-to-apple comparison here. Airbus never had a true 757 competitor. The A321 somewhat nears in payload but falls short in range. And guess what, for certain missions, the B757 is more efficient (and hence more profitable) than even the B737-900ER which Boeing meant to replace the B757. Boeing knew this, but yet decided to end production of the 757s because they didn't find it feasible to keep the 757 line open for a few dozens of orders when the 737 line was gaining more orders in hundreds. Plus, the closure of the 757 line also paved way for the skill resources to be deployed for the 787.

B767 vs. A300/A310: Back in the 60's when Airbus disclosed the A300 concept, Boeing laughed at them...for they just didn't believe that a widebody twinjet would work for the market! Soon, Boeing realized that the A300 was becoming a runaway success and brought in the 767. Bothe eventually became successful, again by airlines exploiting the relative advantages of the types to their strengths. The A300/A310 has wider fuselage than the 767 which is advantageous for certain airlines who prefers using LD3s. For ones who are happy with LD2s, the 767s offer a better overall structural payload and range performance.

B777 vs A330/A340: The 777 is one of the finest aircraft ever built - both in terms of technology and performance. While the 777-200ER/300ER/200LR clearly outperforms A340-200/200/500/600, the 777-200 baseline aircraft was a miserable comparison against the A330-200/300 (which in my opinion are one of the best aircraft Airbus has built so far). The 777-300ER is the pinnacle of the 777 family, with the -200ER and -200LR complimenting it perfectly and together displacing the A340-300/500/600 off the board.

B787 vs A350XWB: The 787 has all elements to be a fantastic airplane, but Boeing perhaps should've assessed the supply-chain issue better than they did. Airbus' approach to the 787 was completely wrong at the beginning, when they spoke about just re-engining the A330 with the GEnx and call it the A370. John Leahy was being an idiotic salesman and it took until Steven Hazy literally humiliated Airbus' idea publicly, and finally Airbus came up with the A350XWB - better late than never! I expect the A350XWB to succeed, maybe not as much as the 787, but not too far behind either.

To sum it up, both manufacturers have built great airplanes...although I'm more of a Boeing fan myself. Pilots' perspectives on them would probably be evenly divided as some pilots prefer the more computer-dependent systems typical of Airbus aircraft while some prefer the greater feel of flying and degree of authority they have on the Boeings.

My 2 cents! :2cents:

Mate, I'm as big a Boeing fan as you probably are...but let's be rational about the comparisons...I love Boeings, but I also have to admit Airbus has made some great airplanes too! And for the love of airplanes, let's cheer both!

...... on the Boeings.

Great job Sir.

Great job Sir.

My pleasure.

Mate, I'm as big a Boeing fan as you probably are...but let's be rational about the comparisons...I love Boeings, but I also have to admit Airbus has made some great airplanes too! And for the love of airplanes, let's cheer both! :)

Here's my beancounters opinion:

B717 vs nothing from Airbus: the 717 was basically a re-engined and modified blend of the DC-9 and MD-80 with a glass cockpit. Boeing never marketed it seriously as it was competing with the smaller of the 737NG's which Boeing was focused to promote as a family of airplanes.

B737 Classics+NG vs. A320 family: Both are highly successful aircraft, and for good reasons too. There are comparative advantages of both types against each other and the suitability of a type for an airline depends on how well these advantages match with the airlines' strengths. Southwest/Ryanair are as successful with the 737s and EasyJet/Air Asia are with the A320s!

B747 vs. A380: Largely different aircraft for different markets. I hope the 747-8 does better than it has so far, because it'd a pity to see the most gracious aircraft ever go away. However, the 747-8's real competitor is not the A380...it's actually Boeing's very own 777-300ER. Airlines will choose between the 777-300ER and the 747-8 by weighing out the difference delta in terms of capacity, range, and relative efficiency. The A380, by all means, is an engineering marvel. It's not about the size...for there have been several aircraft built before the A380 which were much bigger...but its the regulatory restrictions and limitations (standard airport gate size, emergency evacuation regulations, etc.) which were the real challenges. And Airbus did a fantastic job at building the A380 facing such challenges. As for usage of non-metal materials, the 787 will have far more composite materials used to build it (by percentage value) than the A380...and composites are safer than metal in many ways too.

B757/ vs. B737-900ER/A321: Not an apple-to-apple comparison here. Airbus never had a true 757 competitor. The A321 somewhat nears in payload but falls short in range. And guess what, for certain missions, the B757 is more efficient (and hence more profitable) than even the B737-900ER which Boeing meant to replace the B757. Boeing knew this, but yet decided to end production of the 757s because they didn't find it feasible to keep the 757 line open for a few dozens of orders when the 737 line was gaining more orders in hundreds. Plus, the closure of the 757 line also paved way for the skill resources to be deployed for the 787.

B767 vs. A300/A310: Back in the 60's when Airbus disclosed the A300 concept, Boeing laughed at them...for they just didn't believe that a widebody twinjet would work for the market! Soon, Boeing realized that the A300 was becoming a runaway success and brought in the 767. Bothe eventually became successful, again by airlines exploiting the relative advantages of the types to their strengths. The A300/A310 has wider fuselage than the 767 which is advantageous for certain airlines who prefers using LD3s. For ones who are happy with LD2s, the 767s offer a better overall structural payload and range performance.

B777 vs A330/A340: The 777 is one of the finest aircraft ever built - both in terms of technology and performance. While the 777-200ER/300ER/200LR clearly outperforms A340-200/200/500/600, the 777-200 baseline aircraft was a miserable comparison against the A330-200/300 (which in my opinion are one of the best aircraft Airbus has built so far). The 777-300ER is the pinnacle of the 777 family, with the -200ER and -200LR complimenting it perfectly and together displacing the A340-300/500/600 off the board.

B787 vs A350XWB: The 787 has all elements to be a fantastic airplane, but Boeing perhaps should've assessed the supply-chain issue better than they did. Airbus' approach to the 787 was completely wrong at the beginning, when they spoke about just re-engining the A330 with the GEnx and call it the A370. John Leahy was being an idiotic salesman and it took until Steven Hazy literally humiliated Airbus' idea publicly, and finally Airbus came up with the A350XWB - better late than never! I expect the A350XWB to succeed, maybe not as much as the 787, but not too far behind either.

To sum it up, both manufacturers have built great airplanes...although I'm more of a Boeing fan myself. Pilots' perspectives on them would probably be evenly divided as some pilots prefer the more computer-dependent systems typical of Airbus aircraft while some prefer the greater feel of flying and degree of authority they have on the Boeings.

My 2 cents! :2cents:

great to see the way u summerised it :) , u should edit the wiki article on "competition between Airbus & Boeing" and make it look simple haha :cheers: , and also good to see u r a Boeing fan XD!

hey guys just a quick questions did any of bangladesh operators have the BAe or ATR in their fleets. what are the cost and performance like in comparision to Biman Fokkers and GMG/United/RBA De Havillands?

wonderful summury, but i still think boeing is better than airbus.............

hey guys just a quick questions did any of bangladesh operators have the BAe or ATR in their fleets. what are the cost and performance like in comparision to Biman Fokkers and GMG/United/RBA De Havillands?

To my knowledge, only one Bangladeshi operator, South Asia Airways once had an ATR-42-300 (MSN 315) registered in Bangladesh in 2000/2001 (S2-ADK; later assigned to BG for an A310) which was not taken up for reasons I don't know. The aircraft later went on to bear the registration D-BOOM with Rheinland Air Service and as VT-ABC with Alliance Air / Air India Regional.

On another note, GMG had intended to start up 11 years ago with the ATR's but failed to get adequate response from the manufacturer (understandably as the 1st pvt carrier of a country like Bangladesh). Bombardier, however, was more cooperative and helped GMG launch with the Dash-8-100.

As for comparisons, the ATR's are far better aircraft to operate in the context of Bangladesh and its domestic routes. Considering that the ATR 72-500 and the Bombardier Q400 are comparable aircraft as 70-seaters, here are the reasons:

- The ATR 72-500 is lighter with an MTOW of 22.5 tons compared to the Q400's MTOW of 29 tons.

- The PW127F powerplants of the ATR 72-500 delivers 2,475 takeoff shaft horsepower compared to the PW150A's shaft horsepower of 4,580 at takeoff for the Q400.

- The additional weight and SHP rating of the Q400 makes its Direct Operating Costs much higher than that of the ATR 72-500.

- While the Q400 has a significantly higher cruise speed (360 kts) than that of the ATR 72-500 (276 kts), the speed advantage gets diminished on sector lengths under 250 nm, unless there's a market for high rotations/day. For example, on the DAC-CGP sector of approx. 125 nm, the ATR 72-500 would require a flight time of about 30 mins (at avg 250 kts airspeed) while the Q400 would need about 22 mins (at avg 330 kts airspeed). Unless the market between such a city pair warrants very high frequencies (like in Japan) in a day, the speed advantage of the Q400 would fail to justify its higher DOC compared to the ATR 72-500.

As for comparisons of these turboprops against the F-28, it's going to be just outrageous. I don't have the exact numbers readily available right now, but the typical fuel required for the F-28 to taxi from the domestic ramp to the holding point of Rwy14 at ZIA would be almost enough for an ATR 72 or a Dash-8/Q400 to do the DAC-CGP flight!

http://www.eprothomalo.com/contents/2009/2009_07_01/content_zoom/2009_07_01_5_14_b.jpg

Published on 1/7/2009 at Prothom alo

Emirates regularly declare online fare, but none I mean, the association of travel agent and The financialexpress doesn't say any thing.

toronto to dhaka..... 1300 canadian $ which is roughly about 1100 USD.... all tax included.... cheap eh?

As for comparisons of these turboprops against the F-28, it's going to be just outrageous. I don't have the exact numbers readily available right now, but the typical fuel required for the F-28 to taxi from the domestic ramp to the holding point of Rwy14 at ZIA would be almost enough for an ATR 72 or a Dash-8/Q400 to do the DAC-CGP flight!

WOW thats a big MASSIVE difference. So why isnt Biman or any of the private bangladesh carriers looking to invest in an ATR for the domestic and regional routes?. They will save loads of money on fuel.

toronto to dhaka..... 1300 canadian $ which is roughly about 1100 USD.... all tax included.... cheap eh?

how much is that in pounds? LHR-DAC is £620 EK website.

how much is that in pounds? LHR-DAC is £620 EK website.

690 in pounds.... thats from toronto to dac return.... cheap eh? EK only operate A380 on DXB toronto route

WOW thats a big MASSIVE difference. So why isnt Biman or any of the private bangladesh carriers looking to invest in an ATR for the domestic and regional routes?. They will save loads of money on fuel.

When was 'saving money' among Biman's intentions?

When was 'saving money' among Biman's intentions?

erm NEVER

Air Asia's rejoinder to Financial Express Report

FE Report

Asia's top budget airline AirAsia has contradicted two reports published in The Financial Express, saying the reports have been published with the "ulterior intention" of tarnishing the image of the carrier.

The Malaysia-based airline, in a rejoinder sent to this paper Monday, said that the reports published on June 04, 2009 and June 23, 2009 have "severely" damaged the goodwill of its business, which is uncalled for.

AirAsia also denied that each allegation made in the reports published in The Financial Express was "baseless," "untrue" and "misleading."

It also asserted that the reporter concerned has acted irresponsibly in procuring information from sources who have not had any dealings with Air Asia and hence have no knowledge or any authority to make such remarks, which are at best, mere opinions of those parties.

The carrier said the allegations made in the articles regarding tax evasion and exploitation of passengers are "wholly untrue" and have been made with an ulterior motive and malafide intention to defame the airline.

AirAsia is the biggest low-cost carrier in Asia, the airline said, adding since the start of its operations in Bangladesh has provided a valuable service to the Bangladeshi migrant workers, students and other travellers by offering "low-cost" flights between Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka.

"… The said publications were made for defaming the carrier's reputation, tarnish its image and to destroy its business," the Kuala Lumpur-based carrier said.

"AirAsia has obtained all the necessary permission from the Board of Investment (BoI) to set up its branch office in Bangladesh."

In what it called a spate of irresponsible journalism, AirAsia said the newspaper has published "untrue" statements about the carrier without ascertaining true facts.

The Reporter's Reply

This correspondent as part of professional ethics has contacted Sky Bangla Aviation Limited, AirAsia's authorised dealer in Bangladesh, for comments on the allegations made by local travel traders, but the agency has declined requests for the official reply.

However, this reporter obtained comments from top officials of the Bangladesh Bank and the National Board of Revenue on the charges brought against the low-fare airline by travel agencies.

In the rejoinder, the airline said that it is in the process of opening a branch office in Dhaka, the absence of which has put passengers at difficulty. And the problems facing passengers were one of main foci of the report.

The paper, however, regrets if any misunderstanding or inconvenience caused to the airline by the report concerned.
----------------


Original Story:


Air Asia accused of leaving passengers in the lurch

FE RSS FEED

A Z M Anas

Air Asia is exploiting passengers' purse as top Asian budget carrier sells online tickets via credit cards, giving travellers no option of a change in travel plan, nor refunds, travel traders have alleged.

The Kuala Lumpur-based airliner, which sells 90 per cent of its air tickets through credit cards and sky agents, is also suspected of evading taxes, aided by electronic system, according to local travel agencies.

They note that the foreign carrier is making off with unknown, but significant windfall behind the backs of Bangladeshi regulators including Revenue Board.

"The low-cost carrier remains least sensitive to travellers' needs," head of Saimon Overseas M. A. Muhaimin Saleh said Monday.

"Its business practice is messy, and questionable. I think, the government should no longer allow any foreign airline to sell tickets online," he added.

Mr Saleh, who also leads 1400-members Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, alleged that they were flooded with myriads complaints from the travellers who get no support from Air Asia.

Sky Bangla Aviation Ltd, a Dhaka-based authorised dealer, declined to make comments.

An official of the agency, however, privately admitted that it received different kinds of requests totalling 100 from Kuala Lumpur-bound passengers last month.

"All of them purchased tickets online using credit cards," he said, without elaborating.

"I failed to change travel timing. Even I was ready to pay additional amount. It's frustrating," said a Bangladeshi passenger who lives in the Malaysian capital city.

While Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia operates in Bangladesh through a General Sales Agent (GSA), industry sources said Air Asia has tapped Sky Bangla just as a dealer, picking no GSA.

The sources said the Malaysian airliner also allowed a handful of sky agents for ticket sale, who are beyond the purview of the government agencies. A sky agent has secured a password from the airline's headquarters by depositing certain amounts.

"No body knows how a sky agent routes sales proceeds to Air Asia," a source said.

Since the airline's operations have drawn little scrutiny, Golam Mostafa, who owns Union Travels, said it is reluctant to operate through a GSA.

Local travel firms also accused Air Asia of underreporting passengers and revenue details, giving it an undue edge over its main competitors.

Including embarkation fees, passengers travelling by Air Asia are supposed to pay Tk 2300 as travel taxes for flying to KL, its operating hub.

At 80 per cent average flight occupancy, travel traders figured out that the malpractice by KL-based airline would cost the government Tk 190 million in revenue losses a year.

The ATAB chief said that the online ticket sales not only eat up travel agencies' earnings, but gives the airline an opportunity to dodge taxes.

The price of each ticket, if snapped up online, is deposited directly to Air Asia's bank accounts, leaving the foreign currency transaction untraced by the government agencies and the central bank as well, said Mr Mostafa.

Air Asia's case provides a "rare glimpse" into how it games the system, thus depriving the government of significant taxes.

Khandakar Muzharul Haque, an executive director of the Bangladesh Bank, had earlier said he was not aware of the business practice of the low-fare carrier and would look into the Air Asia's case.

Air Asia operates 300-plus seater A-320 Airbus flights daily between KL and Dhaka, its 62nd destination.

Each week, an estimated 10,000 passengers fly between Dhaka and the Malaysian capital, making it Bangladesh's major air route.

The Malaysian airline's entry to the Dhaka-KL route has already unleashed a wave of fare war as it has offered ticket prices 40 per cent cheaper than legacy operators.

Travel agencies are not opposed to the operations of low-cost carriers like Air Asia in the Bangladesh market, Mr Mostafa said, adding the airline should do business in a proper way.

"Passengers, especially migrant workers and students, benefit from low fares. But the airline also needs to make sure it pays taxes to the government," he said.

Air Asia serves over 100 routes covering 62 destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, China, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The airline, which posted US$ 135 million in losses in 2008 financial year, has carried over 50 million passengers since its inception in 2001.

----------------

As noted in earlier posts, this reporter only got quotes from travel agents not representing AirAsia, and only notes references to a BB executive. Most of the article seemed to be like rants by ATAB members, not passengers -- i don't really see how passengers were left in the lurch as the title suggests.

Best,

Wasim / Planemannyc

Afriqiyah shelves Dhaka & Manila launch

As per GDS timetable display on 29JUN09, Afriqiyah Airways has shelved its 2nd long-haul route plan, Tripoli - Dhaka - Manila . Service was originally planned to begin from September, but later postponed to 24OCT09.

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2009/06/afriqiyah-shelves-dhaka-manila-launch.html

Looks like a no-go on the TIP/MNL links. Too bad, was kinda hoping it would go through.


Best,

Wasim / Planemannyc

toronto to dhaka..... 1300 canadian $ which is roughly about 1100 USD.... all tax included.... cheap eh?

Yeah, try getting that fare in high season!

Afriqiyah shelves Dhaka & Manila launch

As per GDS timetable display on 29JUN09, Afriqiyah Airways has shelved its 2nd long-haul route plan, Tripoli - Dhaka - Manila . Service was originally planned to begin from September, but later postponed to 24OCT09.

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2009/06/afriqiyah-shelves-dhaka-manila-launch.html

Looks like a no-go on the TIP/MNL links. Too bad, was kinda hoping it would go through.


Best,

Wasim / Planemannyc

How come? Not much demand for traffic on the sector(s)? Yes, too bad. :down:

Guys,

Do we know if RBS will be doing any fleet expansion in the near future? and is the MD-83 of United has arrived in Dhaka?

Yeah, try getting that fare in high season!

Did anyone of you try to get a Malaysia Airlines ticket that was quoted at $587 from LAX-DAC? I looked it up and the taxes were $680. I wonder what constitutes taxes these days.

Did anyone of you try to get a Malaysia Airlines ticket that was quoted at $587 from LAX-DAC? I looked it up and the taxes were $680. I wonder what constitutes taxes these days.

Some cites do break them down. Those taxes are really not all "taxes". I call it deceptive advertising! Last winter when I was looking for fares to travel to Indonesia, many of these places tripped me up with such "low" fares.

by Rubel Rahman

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3674348745_dfa7ff5415_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/3675150214_dfd1eacf3c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3675142168_9505fc4246_b.jpg
here will be a new flight terminal building, Zia have now 7 aereobrigde.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3674316421_ed89d9917a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3675130744_7ee9bff2f1_b.jpg

Nice pictures

Who is RBS?

Reserve Bank of Scotland?

the exterior of the airport is not soo impressive, they need to renovate the exterior look i think! As for the interior, the departure is not bad but the arrival area sucks big time, tht needs renovating too!

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited is set to procure three new generation aircrafts for its fleet by October next to operate flights on more routes, including resuming its New York operations.

The national flag carrier, now turned into a public limited company, has invited `Request for Proposal (RFP)’ for taking lease of three 777-200ER/777- 200 aircraft before October this year.

The three aircraft will be brought for 48 months -- ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) lease for 12 months with or without option for conversion to AMI (Aircraft, Maintenance and Insurance) after six months, and then to Dry Lease for another 36 months.

According to the RFP, the delivery of the aircraft will take place at a mutually agreed location while re- delivery after the lease period will take place at Dhaka at the lessor’s cost.

It said that the proposal should come from the Principal/Owner. However, if represented by an agent, a letter of authorization from the Principal/Owner will have to be submitted along with the offer/proposal. If the lessor is not owner of the aircraft, owner’s authorization/mandate is required to be submitted along with the Proposal/Offer. As per the RFP, “D’ Check or Heavy maintenance check must not fall due during the lease period, while “C” Check as per Lessor’s applicable maintenance program shall have to be carried out prior to commencement of lease.

Before commencement of Dry Lease operations each aircraft to be delivered fresh out of ‘C’ check at the beginning of Dry Lease period.

The Base of the aircraft will be at Dhaka in Bangladesh. The aircraft will be operated to mid-haul and long-haul routes. The destinations of the aircrafts will be Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai, Riyadh, New York and Brussels.

With the leased aircraft, Biman Bangladesh Airlines wants to resume its New York flight that remains suspended for a long time.

Biman may also operate the leased aircraft to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait, Rome, London, Tripoli and any points within Biman's network.

Talking to UNB over telephone, a Biman official said they want to make themselves familiar with the new generation aircraft as the national flag carrier earlier signed an agreement with US aircraft giant Boeing to deliver eight new generation aircraft. “Apart from getting experience with new generation aircraft, Biman opted to start new routes as well as its suspended old routes to grab more business,” the official said. Biman during the caretaker government signed definitive deals with Boeing Company to procure eight aircraft -- four 777-300 ER and four 787-8.

Of the eight Boeings, the first consignment of four planes (777-300ER) will be arriving here in 2013 while the second consignment (787-8) in 2019.

The first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will cost US$ 182.17 million while the other three at US$ 182.51 million, US$ 183.20 million and US$ 184.01 million.

The first Boeing 787 aircraft will cost US$ 132.83 million, while the other three at US$ 133.08 million, US$ 133.53 million and US$ 133.81 million.

The four Boeings (777-300ER), scheduled to fly in 2013, will have 463 seats, including 39 business-class berths and 424 economy class. The second phase Boeings (787), expected to arrive in 2019, will have 394 seats with 26 business-class and 268 economy ones. The 737-800 will have 175 seats.

---UNB, Dhaka

http://www.bangladeshinfo.com/business/headline_top.php?nid=1