[🇧🇩] Aviation Industry in Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

Biman to fly all-women flight​

Muktadir Rashid | Published: 00:10, Mar 08,2024

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing for an all-women operated flight to Saudi city Dammam from Dhaka today to mark International Women’s Day.

The Biman officials said that their flight BG-349 would be operated by two female pilots and their on board service would be given by female cabin crew while the ground handling service would be given by female colleagues.

Captain Aliya Mannan would fly the aircraft Boeing 787, officials said.

First officer Fariha Tabassum, who will be the co-pilot on the flight, said that this would be a rare type of flight when all cockpit and cabin crew were all female.

Biman’s first female general manager for public relations, Tahera Khondoker, said that over 13 per cent of their total 4,038 permanent and contractual employees were female and serving currently in all departments with equal rights and benefits.

Among them, 345 women are serving as female cabin crew.

Tahera said that 15 female pilots were also serving as captains or first officers, amounting to 10 per cent of total pilots at the national flag carrier.

One of the female pilots said that it was inspiring when people celebrated the contribution of female pilots or professionals, but many hardships and discrimination went untold.

She said that many airlines were still not hiring female pilots when the global average of female pilots was six per cent.

The Sydney-based Centre for Aviation stated that women pilots’ share of United States airline pilot licences had grown over 20 years, rising from 3.3 per cent in 2002 to 4.9 per cent in 2023.

German company Statista Research Department stated in November 2023 that India was the leading country in terms of female pilots in the world in 2021, with roughly 12.4 per cent of Indian pilots being female.

During the period, only 4.7 per cent of pilots in the United Kingdom were female.

The number of female pilots is still low in Bangladesh.

The largest private airline, US-Bangla airlines, initially tried to promote Bangladeshi female pilots, but three of them left the airlines while one died in a crash in Nepal.
‘We have two female pilots of foreign nationality,’ said a top executive of the airline.

The US-Bangla recruited one female Bangladesh trainee who is now in the United States for flying training, the executive added.

Likewise, Novoair has only two first officers, while Air Astra has only one first officer, Shajidina Sultana Sony.

Kaniz Fatema Roksana was the first Bangladeshi female commercial pilot.

 

[Saif]

Russia keen to have Dhaka-Moscow direct air connectivity

Russia on Thursday showed keen interest to establish direct air-connectivity between Dhaka and Moscow to enhance people-to-people ties between two friendly countries.....

www.newagebd.net

Russia keen to have Dhaka-Moscow direct air connectivity
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka | Published: 22:11, Mar 14,2024

Russia on Thursday showed keen interest to establish direct air-connectivity between Dhaka and Moscow to enhance people-to-people ties between two friendly countries.

Russian ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy expressed this interest during a meeting with Bangladesh civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan held at the secretariat in Dhaka, said a press release.


Pointing out that every year a huge number of Russian tourists visit different countries, Mantytskiy said that Russian visitors would prefer to visit Bangladesh above other Russian neighbours if direct air connectivity was established between the two nations.

Besides, Mantytskiy said that his country also wanted to be a partner in the development journey of Bangladesh’s growing aviation industry and was ready to extend any type of assistance including technical support in this regard.

In reply, minister Faruk Khan welcomed the Russian keenness of establishing direct Dhaka-Moscow air connectivity as well as Russian partnership in Bangladesh’s aviation industries.


He said that decision would be made regarding the direct air connectivity after holding discussion between respective authorities of both countries by maintaining the international rules and regulations.

The minister said that his ministry was working to make Bangladesh an aviation hub as the country was situated in the international aviation route.

Moreover, he said that in the last 15 years, Bangladesh made enormous development in the aviation sector and achieved the international standard.​

 

[Saif]

Germany keen to provide technical support in aviation sector

Germany has shown its interest in providing technical assistance to Bangladesh to accelerate the government’s ‘Smart Bangladesh’ initiative. German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster expressed his interest when he met Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muham

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Germany keen to provide technical support in aviation sector​

FE ONLINE DESK

Published :​

Mar 20, 2024 20:18

Updated :​

Mar 20, 2024 20:18

Germany has shown its interest in providing technical assistance to Bangladesh to accelerate the government’s ‘Smart Bangladesh’ initiative.

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster expressed his interest when he met Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan at his office at the secretariat on Wednesday, BSS reports citing a press release.

The ambassador said his country is working with Bangladesh in economic, technical, training, and various sectors.

Achim said that Germany would provide technical support for the development of Bangladesh's growing aviation industry.

“We are also planning to provide training to create skilled technical staff in this sector. We are keen to act as the 'Modern Logistics Partner' of the Aviation Industry of Bangladesh to accelerate the steps taken by the government to build 'Smart Bangladesh',” he added.

The aviation and tourism minister mentioned that the growth of Bangladesh's aviation industry has more than doubled in the last 15 years.

The present government is working seriously for the proper growth and development of this industry, he added.

He appreciated Germany’s proposal to provide technical assistance in the aviation sector of Bangladesh.

“In this regard, the concerned departments will take actions according to the law and discussion,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Fly Dhaka set to become country’s newest private airline: CEO

A new airline, Fly Dhaka Airlines, is set to take off by November this year and become the country’s 12th private airline operator to enter the industry in the past 25 years

www.thedailystar.net

Fly Dhaka set to become country’s newest private airline: CEO​

A new airline, Fly Dhaka Airlines, is set to take off by November this year and become the country's 12th private airline operator to enter the industry in the past 25 years.

"We are all set to spread wings of Fly Dhaka as a new airline by November this year," Lt General (retd) Molla Fazle Akbar, chief executive officer of Fly Dhaka Airlines, told The Daily Star.

"Prioritising safe travel coupled with affordability, the airline has already secured its aircraft and is actively addressing various pertinent matters pertaining to the acquisition of the Air Operator's Certificate (AOC)," Fazle Akbar also said.

The airline is advancing through the personnel recruitment process, he added.

"Our aim is not only to establish a robust presence in the domestic market but also to extend our reach to the global arena," he also said. "Towards this end, negotiations with a giant Asian airline is already underway."

The airline plans to commencing operations on domestic routes with ATR 72-600 model aircraft.

Subsequently, for international services, Fly Dhaka Airlines intends to induct Airbus/Boeing aircraft, thereby ensuring safety, efficiency and reliability in its global operations.

Anisul Islam Mahmud, a Jatiya Party lawmaker and a businessman, is the owner of the airlines.

As per the rules, the airlines will get permission to operate flights on international routes after operating flights on domestic routes for at least one year.

In the last 25 years, at least eight private airlines were forced to cease their operation for cash crunch, the latest being Regent Airways in 2022.

With Fly Dhaka coming into operation, the total number of private airlines operating in the country will be four. The three other airlines are Novo Air, US-Bangla Airlines and Air Astra.​

 

[Bilal9]

Biman dreams of flying farther, buying 26 new aircraft by 2034

In view of a surge in international air travel and competition from foreign airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the country's national carrier, is all set to execute a decade-long ambitious plan that involves purchasing at least 26 new aircraft and route expansion.

Biman's fleet would grow from existing 21 to 47 aircraft by 2034, marking a 122% growth, according to the new plan recently approved by the Biman Board of Directors.

The fleet will see the addition of at least eight aircraft with 300 seats, six with 270 seats, six with 160 seats, four with 70 seats, and one with 400 seats.
With their addition, Biman's seating capacity will more than double, exceeding the current capacity of 5,000 passengers per day.

Aligned with the government's objective of transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub, Biman wants to broaden its reach through new aircraft on new routes, including Australia and New York.

Shafiul Azim, managing director and CEO of Biman, told TBS, "The 10-year fleet and route expansion plan has been under consideration for several years. It was approved during the 300th board meeting, held recently. The plan can be revised at any time."

"We plan to add two to three aircraft into the fleet annually. The routes are already mapped out, we just need to initiate operations," he said.

Biman sources indicate that the company is actively assessing proposals from both Airbus and Boeing for acquiring new aircraft. This suggests a move towards fleet diversification for Biman, which is currently dominated by Boeing aircraft.

The national flag carrier has primarily decided to buy 10 Airbus A350 widebody planes, including two cargo freighters, from Airbus, following a proposal from the European manufacturing giant. It also formed a techno-financial committee on 5 March to evaluate the purchase offer.

Following Airbus, its global competitor Boeing has also presented its new proposal to the airline.

"The major advantage lies in avoiding upfront cash payments for aircraft purchases. Previously, we made regular instalments for purchased aircraft. Even with new purchases, it remains the same," said Shafiul Azim.

The Biman MD stressed the necessity of acquiring new aircraft to remain competitive in the aviation market. "While we sit idle, neighboring countries like India, Thailand, and Vietnam are rapidly expanding their fleets, targeting our market," he said.

Currently, local airlines, including Biman, secure only 20%–25% of the aviation sector's business in the country, with foreign carriers dominating the remaining share.

With a notable surge in international passenger numbers, the national carrier, along with several other local airlines, is gearing up to harness the business opportunities by competing with foreign carriers.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, the country's airports witnessed a record-breaking 17.4 million air passengers last year, with a majority being international travelers, indicating a nearly 23.4% year-on-year growth.

The count of international passengers, encompassing both Bangladeshis and foreign nationals, surged by approximately 2.67 million in 2023, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year and a 37% rise compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.

Sector insiders attributed the growth of air travel to and from Bangladesh to factors such as record labor exports, rising educational migration, outbound medical and leisure tourism, and business travel.

A massive Tk32,000 crore investment in airport development, including a brand new third terminal for the Dhaka airport, is creating exciting opportunities for Biman.

This infrastructure boom is fueling the airline's ambitions to expand its network across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe.

New routes coming

Currently, Biman operates flights on 22 international routes covering three continents: North America, Europe, and Asia. The airline is now preparing to start operations in Australia.

Biman MD Shafiul Azim said, "Dhaka to Vietnam/Korea via Narita, a city on the eastern outskirts of Tokyo, Japan, could be a new route. Dhaka-Indonesia-Sydney is being considered as a new route, with preparations already in progress for a route to New York."

He further mentioned plans to expand routes in the future, including destinations like Male, Sydney, Kunming, Yangon, and New York. Additionally, arrangements are being made for code-sharing with Bahrain.

Code sharing is a marketing arrangement in which an airline places its designator code on a flight operated by another airline, and sells tickets for that flight.

Over the past two years, Biman initiated flight operations to Toronto in Canada, Narita in Japan, and Guangzhou in China. A direct flight to Rome, Italy, commenced on 27 March.

From configuration to cost of Airbus aircraft

The Airbus A220, featuring a capacity of 100-150 seats and a 2-3 economy configuration, was engineered to offer a wide body experience. It comes in two variations, each with distinct list prices.

According to Simple Flying, an international aviation news portal, the smaller A220-100 is estimated to cost around $81 million, whereas the larger and more sought-after A220-300 is priced at $91.5 million.

The Airbus A320 family of aircraft are best suited for short to medium-haul flights and can carry between 100 and 240 passengers. They are designed to compete against the Boeing 737 series in the commercial aircraft market.

At list price, the A320ceo is priced at $101 million, while the A320neo is listed at $110.6 million.

The smallest and rarest of the Airbus A320 family, the A318, is also the cheapest of Airbus' offerings. The plane, known as the Baby Bus, has a list price of $77.5 million.

Biman MD Shafiul Azim said there is a global standard practice for airline acquisitions. Aircraft are typically not purchased outright with cash; instead, regular instalments are made, particularly for those acquired from Boeing.

Azim said financing is arranged through a bank, emphasizing that this arrangement differs from a conventional loan. Both the bank and the aircraft manufacturing company are parties to the agreement.

"Currently, we are managing the instalments for our existing aircraft. Last year, Biman settled full instalments for two aircraft," he added.

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Saif]

UK keen to support to transform Bangladesh into aviation hub

The United Kingdom is committed to playing a supportive role in transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub, said UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Wednesday. The envoy made the remark during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Mohammad Faruk Khan at his residence i

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

UK keen to support to transform Bangladesh into aviation hub
BSS
Published :
Apr 24, 2024 22:07
Updated :
Apr 24, 2024 22:07

The United Kingdom is committed to playing a supportive role in transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub, said UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Wednesday.

The envoy made the remark during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Mohammad Faruk Khan at his residence in the capital, said a press release here.

During the meeting, Cooke said the UK is now eager to expand cooperation in a wider range of potential new areas, including the development of technical skills in Bangladesh's aviation industry, the training of skilled personnel, and the further enhancement of security measures.

She mentioned that the two countries have previously worked together in various sectors of the aviation industry, including the development of airport security systems.

In response, the minister welcomed the UK's friendly cooperation in successfully transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub.

He expressed his delight at the prospect of the two countries working together to develop the aviation industry.

The minister added that the scope for collaboration between the two countries in various areas of the aviation industry will be explored.

Faruk Khan further stated that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is working to transform Bangladesh into a major aviation hub.

He mentioned that extensive development work has been carried out at all airports in the country, including the construction of a third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and that further development work is underway.

He also mentioned that the government is working to transform Syedpur Airport into a regional hub.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/airbus-keen-to-build-long-term-tie-with-bangladesh

Airbus keen to build long-term tie with Bangladesh
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 15, 2024 21:37
Updated :
May 15, 2024 21:37

European commercial aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus is interested in building a strong and long-term collaboration with Bangladesh to contribute to the sustainability and advancement of the country's aviation sector.

This proposal came up while visiting Airbus Executive Vice President (International) Wouter van Wersch held a meeting with civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan at the secretariat, reports BSS.

The Airbus Vice President was accompanied by French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke.

"Airbus is keen to provide different types of technical assistance as well as offering training to the workforce working in Bangladesh's aviation sector. That's why we are working to build up a strategic partnership with Bangladesh's Aviation University," Wouter said.

He said his company would like to be a partner in making Bangladesh an aviation hub.

Currently, a negotiation is going on between the state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Airbus, as the Bangladesh government will purchase new aircraft for the national flag carrier.

Fauk Khan said Biman has formed a high-level evaluation committee to review Airbus's financial proposal in this connection.

Meanwhile, the minister said Boeing has likewise given a decent proposition, which is also under Biman's review. "Which will be good for Bangladesh and Biman and we will consider that," Faruk added.

He said, as per Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's directive, his ministry is working to transform Bangladesh into a major aviation hub in South Asia.

Later, French multinational company Thales International Bangladesh Country Director Benoit Nalin held a separate meeting with Faruk Khan.

In the meeting, Nalin showed his keen interest to provide technical assistance to Bangladesh aviation's Air traffic management, developing the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Smart airport management.

Thales designs, develops and manufactures electrical systems as well as devices and equipment for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security sectors.​

 

[Saif]

Biman does a 180 to buy Airbus planes

In January this year, Biman found that it would be making massive losses if it bought two Airbus A350 planes.

www.thedailystar.net

Biman does a 180 to buy Airbus planes
In 3 days reconstituted evaluation body finds purchase viable after old committee gave the thumbs down

Representational Image/Biman website

In January this year, Biman found that it would be making massive losses if it bought two Airbus A350 planes.

On April 22, a new appraisal committee took over the evaluation and, in only three days, concluded that it would be a profitable venture.

The Biman board has even given the go-ahead for the procurement of four Airbus planes, each costing around $180 million, based on the new calculations.

On multiple occasions throughout last year, Bangladesh gave its word that it would buy Airbus planes.

The final memorandum of understanding, which comes with a hefty non-refundable $5 million commitment fee per plane, was hinging on this techno-financial evaluation.

The national carrier would have to undergo an accumulated cash shortfall of up to $463.08 million throughout the lifetime (25 years) of the planes, the previous committee found after studying a proposal for six months.

Five months later, the evaluating committee was reconstituted by the Biman board, and the former head of the committee, Biman's engineering director, was changed. According to the board meeting minutes, the new committee was given three days.

The committee submitted a report on April 25 saying that buying two Airbus planes would be profitable. To achieve this complete U-turn, it based its calculations on a cabin factor that Biman has never been able to achieve -- up to 92 percent.

Cabin factor refers to the percentage of the seats filled on average.

This allowed the second committee to show increased revenue by 20 percent when compared to the evaluation of the previous committee.

In addition, the second committee said the Airbus planes would be profitable on only two routes – one of which is Dhaka to JFK Airport in New York.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Biman’s self-sabotage will not just hurt itself

Its U-turn on Airbus purchase decision raises fresh concerns

www.thedailystar.net

Biman's self-sabotage will not just hurt itself
Its U-turn on Airbus purchase decision raises fresh concerns

VISUAL: STAR

Biman's sudden U-turn on whether buying two Airbus A350 planes would be profitable or not seems to be driven by factors other than financial viability. In January, after studying the proposal for six months, the airliner concluded that it would be making massive losses—amounting to an accumulated cash shortfall of up to $463.08 million over 25 years—if it bought the planes. Strangely enough, on April 22, a new appraisal committee took over the evaluation and, in only three days, decided that it would be a profitable venture. To come to this conclusion, the second committee seems to have invented all sorts of unrealistic scenarios, as per a report by this daily.

For example, the committee based its calculations on Biman filling 92 percent of seats on average (which it has never been able to achieve), showing an increased revenue of 20 percent compared to the evaluation of the previous committee. But even then, the second committee could only show the Airbus planes to be profitable on two routes. One of those routes is Dhaka to JFK Airport in New York, which Bangladeshi carriers have not been able to serve since the US Federal Aviation Authority placed the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) in its Category 2, after finding irregularities in its operational activities in 2006.

With that being the case, why would the committee even consider taking this route into its calculations? Another reasoning concocted by the committee is that jet fuel cost—which has historically been volatile, and has risen in recent times—would decrease, adding about a quarter of the increased revenue shown.

There are other glaring illogical assumptions at play here. The committee ignored the very costly spare parts that Biman would have to acquire for the Airbuses, the significant rise in expenditure as a result of operating a mixed fleet, as opposed to a Boeing-based fleet, etc. But even the committee had to admit that all this may require a huge overhaul of its current crew and their responsibilities, and that Biman may have to suspend operations in different routes or reduce frequency in different sectors. As such, why is the carrier still trying to push through with the Airbus purchases? Given Biman's coloured past—of defying operation rules and standards, violating procurement rules, scandals and anomalies in staff hiring, etc.—its motive needs to be investigated.​

 

[Bilal9]

the committee based its calculations on Biman filling 92 percent of seats on average (which it has never been able to achieve), showing an increased revenue of 20 percent compared to the evaluation of the previous committee. But even then, the second committee could only show the Airbus planes to be profitable on two routes. One of those routes is Dhaka to JFK Airport in New York, which Bangladeshi carriers have not been able to serve since the US Federal Aviation Authority placed the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) in its Category 2, after finding irregularities in its operational activities in 2006.

The corruption and irregularities shown are nothing short of shameless. Facepalm.....

I know of the top leadership at Biman well, these people are not fit to run small vehicle repair shops in Dhaka, much less a national airline.

Scummy uneducated nokar class people, every single one of them. I hope that they go bankrupt after the new terminal ground handling job goes to the Japanese. They are not fit to run even ground handling in Dhaka and made a debacle of it in the last fifty years. They need a swift kick in their collective posteriors, a massive reality check....

 

[Saif]

Biman’s frustrating legacy of misadventures

That Biman is a highly corrupt institution that thrives on shameless plundering of public money is no secret.

www.thedailystar.net

Biman's frustrating legacy of misadventures

VISUAL: TEENI AND TUNI

In the country's aviation landscape, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and controversy have now become synonymous. From rampant corruption in every layer of its activities to gross misgovernance permeating all levels of decision-making—with ample evidence presented in various investigative reports—Biman is fully submerged in a stinky cesspool of controversies of various forms, scales and scopes.

Biman's recent decision to proceed with procuring Airbus aircraft, with the a reconstituted evaluation committee turning projected losses into projected profits based on illogical assumptions, has added more flesh to the body of accusations against the national flag carrier over mismanaged deals.

One would remember the 2014 lease of two EgyptAir aircraft for five years, which Biman could only put into use initially for one year, due to engine defects. Not only did it have to take separate engines on lease for Tk 177 crore, it also had to count staggering losses due to keeping them sitting idle. Between 2014 and 2019, Biman had to bear a loss of Tk 1,200 crore, with the expenditure of Tk 3,529 crore surpassing the Tk 2,329 crore revenue that the two aircraft had earned.

It seems Biman is about to make another loss-making venture by procuring the Airbus aeroplanes, as the projected profits are based on unrealistic assumptions, as stated earlier. First of all, to show a 20 percent jump in revenue, the 92 percent passenger cabin factor that Biman projected for these aircraft is inflated. On an average, the passenger load factor or passenger cabin factor of an aircraft is usually around 70 percent, depending on various factors, such as expenditure. Last year, the global passenger load factor was 81 percent.

The second fallacy in Biman's logic for profit is the route suggestion. While the national carrier says that the Airbus aircraft would be profitable in two routes only—the Dhaka-New York route, three times a week, with a stopover in Istanbul; and the Dhaka-Jeddah route with daily flights—Biman has apprently lost sight of the fact that it is not authorised by the US Federal Aviation Authority to fly in the NY route due to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh's operational irregularities identified in 2006.

Moreover, setting up an Airbus fleet would require Biman to create a completely separate and new supply chain, and logistics arrangement with trained manpower, as the current one caters to a predominantly Boeing fleet. This would involve crores in additional costs.

It has been suggested that this is more of a diplomatic move by the Bangladesh government, which is trying to move away from its dependence on US-made aircraft. Airbus is European-made: France, Germany, the UK and Spain are all involved in its manufacturing value chain, with the final parts assembled in Toulouse, France.

Whatever the reason may be, Biman cannot and should not be used for any other purpose other than ensuring its healthy and sustainable growth and creating a competitive edge for the country's aviation industry in the global marketplace. Biman is not a tool for diplomacy that can be used at the government's whim.

At a time, when the global airliners are rebounding from the economic shock caused by the Covid pandemic, braving headwinds, riding on the back of the booming aviation sector growth (according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air travel continued to bounce back in 2023, matching pre-pandemic levels) Biman keeps counting losses. Even in FY2022-23, the company chewed on a loss of Tk 25.91 crore in its main airline business.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​