[🇧🇩] Aviation Industry in Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh to Pakistan scheduled direct air-link about to be implemented (With Biman and PIA to start services soon). This was decided at the meeting between the Senior Business officials (FPCCI) of Pakistan and FBCCI (Bangladesh Business side).

 

[Saif]

Exorbitant airfares must be curbed

It is the Middle East-bound migrant workers who are bearing the brunt

www.thedailystar.net

Exorbitant airfares must be curbed
It is the Middle East-bound migrant workers who are bearing the brunt

VISUAL: STAR

We are concerned about the soaring airfares on various routes, particularly those to Middle Eastern countries, which are the primary destinations for our migrant workers. Reportedly, ticket prices on these routes have surged two to three times due to an artificial crisis created by an unregulated market system and inadequate government oversight. According to data from the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), the cost of flying to Saudi Arabia has jumped from Tk 45,000–50,000 to around Tk 1.90 lakh, which is unjustifiable. While the high ticket prices are affecting all outbound passengers on these routes, it is our migrant workers who are suffering the most.

A key driver of this surge is the unethical practice of some airlines blocking group seats months in advance through email bookings—without requiring passenger names, passports, visas, or work permits. In other words, they create PNRs (Passenger Name Records) without providing any details of passengers, allowing certain agencies to hoard tickets and create artificial demand.

A key driver of this surge is the unethical practice of some airlines blocking group seats months in advance through email bookings—without requiring passenger names, passports, visas, or work permits. In other words, they create PNRs (Passenger Name Records) without providing any details of passengers, allowing certain agencies to hoard tickets and create artificial demand. Reports indicate that as many as 60,000 seats on Saudi-bound flights of 11 airlines—including Fly Dubai, Jazeera Airways, Gulf Air, and Salam Air—have been blocked in this manner.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time such malpractice has been reported. Last year, Malaysia-bound migrant workers faced a similar crisis when a syndicate comprising Biman officials and high-ups artificially inflated ticket prices. As a result, thousands of workers failed to reach Malaysia before the May 31 deadline, when the labour market there closed for Bangladeshis. Our migrant workers already have to bear high migration costs, and these excessive airfares only worsen their struggles.

The syndicate of travel agencies hoarding tickets must be dismantled, and a task force—including representatives from relevant ministries and CAAB—should be formed to hold unethical travel agents and airline staff accountable. Airlines must also impose a maximum sales limit per agency to prevent hoarding and price manipulation.

We, therefore, urge the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to take immediate action to stop these unfair practices. The syndicate of travel agencies hoarding tickets must be dismantled, and a task force—including representatives from relevant ministries and CAAB—should be formed to hold unethical travel agents and airline staff accountable. Airlines must also impose a maximum sales limit per agency to prevent hoarding and price manipulation. Furthermore, a reasonable minimum and maximum fare should be set for different routes. To ensure transparency, tickets for migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims must clearly specify fare and agency details. Without such measures, illegal practices will persist, making air travel increasingly unaffordable for those who need it most.​

 

[Saif]

Aircraft shortages stifle Biman's revenue potential

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is unable to operate flights to potentially profitable international destinations due to aircraft shortages, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has told The Financial Express. This is depriving the country's largest airli

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Aircraft shortages stifle Biman's revenue potential
The airline feels the need to increase its daily flights to Jeddah from 1 to 2
GULAM RABBANI
Published :
Jan 29, 2025 00:33
Updated :
Jan 29, 2025 00:33

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is unable to operate flights to potentially profitable international destinations due to aircraft shortages, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has told The Financial Express.

This is depriving the country's largest airline, as well as the national flag carrier, of a huge amount of potential revenue, he said.

However, he said some aircraft would be added to the fleet on lease in a few months to operate flights to new destinations.

"We cannot expand our routes due to aircraft shortages. We are trying to get some aircraft on a long-term lease. The planes will be purchased eventually," said Rahman.

Biman now operates flights to 30 domestic and international destinations with 21 aircraft.

In the face of a surge in international air travels and competition with foreign airlines, Biman in March last year made a decade-long ambitious plan that involved purchasing at least 26 new aircraft and route expansion.

According to the plan, Biman's fleet would expand from 21 to 47 aircraft by 2034, marking a 123.81 per cent growth. Adding at least eight aircraft with 300 seats, six with 270, six with 160, four with 70, and one with 400 was part of the plan.

The Biman administration at the time decided to implement the plan gradually. However, the new Biman CEO, who assumed office after the July-August uprising last year, said they are yet to decide whether implementation would continue as per the original plan or it would be revised.

It is not possible to purchase any aircraft right now because of the long manufacturing and delivery period. If ordered now, aircraft may not be delivered before 2035. That is why Biman has to get aircraft on lease first if it wants to expand its fleet, explained Rahman.

Malé, Jakarta, Colombo, and Sydney are the next possible profitable destinations for Biman, said Boshra Islam, general manager (public relations) of the organisation.

Biman operates one flight to Jeddah every day. However, the authorities feel the need to operate another flight to this Middle Eastern destination as it seems profitable.

In the meantime, Biman has started the process to get three aircraft on lease, two with 200 seats and one with 300. It may be finished before the next Hajj season.

Biman has not yet finalised which company it will get the aircraft from on lease. The board will discuss the matter in more detail and a decision will then be made, said Rahman.

A decision to purchase aircraft from Airbus was made in May last year amid visible competition between the European company and the American giant Boeing, which was seen by some as a duel for the control of Bangladesh's airspace.

Sixteen of Biman's current 21 aircraft were made by Boeing. While a mixed fleet increases costs, the diversity also provides operational advantages and security against potential disruptions if one manufacturer faces difficulties.

Biman and US-Bangla Airlines are currently operating international flights from Bangladesh.

Industry insiders said the two airlines hold only 18-20 per cent share of Bangladesh's aviation market, while foreign airlines account for the remaining 80 per cent.​

 

[Bilal9]

Aircraft shortages stifle Biman's revenue potential

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is unable to operate flights to potentially profitable international destinations due to aircraft shortages, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has told The Financial Express. This is depriving the country's largest airli

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Aircraft shortages stifle Biman's revenue potential
The airline feels the need to increase its daily flights to Jeddah from 1 to 2
GULAM RABBANI
Published :
Jan 29, 2025 00:33
Updated :
Jan 29, 2025 00:33

View attachment 13789

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is unable to operate flights to potentially profitable international destinations due to aircraft shortages, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman has told The Financial Express.

This is depriving the country's largest airline, as well as the national flag carrier, of a huge amount of potential revenue, he said.

However, he said some aircraft would be added to the fleet on lease in a few months to operate flights to new destinations.

"We cannot expand our routes due to aircraft shortages. We are trying to get some aircraft on a long-term lease. The planes will be purchased eventually," said Rahman.

Biman now operates flights to 30 domestic and international destinations with 21 aircraft.

In the face of a surge in international air travels and competition with foreign airlines, Biman in March last year made a decade-long ambitious plan that involved purchasing at least 26 new aircraft and route expansion.

According to the plan, Biman's fleet would expand from 21 to 47 aircraft by 2034, marking a 123.81 per cent growth. Adding at least eight aircraft with 300 seats, six with 270, six with 160, four with 70, and one with 400 was part of the plan.

The Biman administration at the time decided to implement the plan gradually. However, the new Biman CEO, who assumed office after the July-August uprising last year, said they are yet to decide whether implementation would continue as per the original plan or it would be revised.

It is not possible to purchase any aircraft right now because of the long manufacturing and delivery period. If ordered now, aircraft may not be delivered before 2035. That is why Biman has to get aircraft on lease first if it wants to expand its fleet, explained Rahman.

Malé, Jakarta, Colombo, and Sydney are the next possible profitable destinations for Biman, said Boshra Islam, general manager (public relations) of the organisation.

Biman operates one flight to Jeddah every day. However, the authorities feel the need to operate another flight to this Middle Eastern destination as it seems profitable.

In the meantime, Biman has started the process to get three aircraft on lease, two with 200 seats and one with 300. It may be finished before the next Hajj season.

Biman has not yet finalised which company it will get the aircraft from on lease. The board will discuss the matter in more detail and a decision will then be made, said Rahman.

A decision to purchase aircraft from Airbus was made in May last year amid visible competition between the European company and the American giant Boeing, which was seen by some as a duel for the control of Bangladesh's airspace.

Sixteen of Biman's current 21 aircraft were made by Boeing. While a mixed fleet increases costs, the diversity also provides operational advantages and security against potential disruptions if one manufacturer faces difficulties.

Biman and US-Bangla Airlines are currently operating international flights from Bangladesh.

Industry insiders said the two airlines hold only 18-20 per cent share of Bangladesh's aviation market, while foreign airlines account for the remaining 80 per cent.​

This is what happens when air force people with zero clues (or experience) on how to run airlines - become MD of an airline like Biman.

Running airlines needs way more experience (especially on fleet utilization and hiring, not buying extra fleet assets) and we need to hire veterans, preferably from airlines in EU or UK. This has been done in the past but they were never let to do things independently.

If you eff up like this - then no one will want to work for Biman. It got a bad rap overseas.

Biman has plenty of airplanes - planned utilization and route refining is the problem.

I know of a few of the Biman staff, they could not plan auto-rickshaw routes.

 

[Saif]

This is what happens when air force people with zero clues (or experience) on how to run airlines - become MD of an airline like Biman.

Running airlines needs way more experience (especially on fleet utilization and hiring, not buying extra fleet assets) and we need to hire veterans, preferably from airlines in EU or UK. This has been done in the past but they were never let to do things independently.

If you eff up like this - then no one will want to work for Biman. It got a bad rap overseas.

Biman has plenty of airplanes - planned utilization and route refining is the problem.

I know of a few of the Biman staff, they could not plan auto-rickshaw routes.

How Ethiopia, a much poorer country than Bangladesh, has built a world class airlines? Bangladesh Biman should learn from Ethiopia.

 

[Bilal9]

How Ethiopia, a much poorer country than Bangladesh, has built a world class airlines? Bangladesh Biman should learn from Ethiopia.

You are correct about Ethiopia being a much poorer country, but that is more because part of their population are nomadic and uneducated who now belong to their country I believe.

Middle and upper class Ethiopians are a highly educated bunch and as befits an educated upper middle class in otherwise relatively undeveloped Africa where competition is a bit rare, have been running and using their own airline since the early 1950's with the most modern equipment (airplane) available. Their culture and language dates from pre-Islamic times (even the times of the Pharaohs) and some of early persecuted Sahabas from Hazrat Nabi SAW took refuge at that kingdom (the generous king who later accepted Islam himself).

Current Ethiopians are a mix of different religions.

This is an Ethiopian Airline flight crew from the 1950's. Very well-trained and professional.

Currently Ethiopian has the largest airline fleet in Africa.

 

[Saif]

You are correct about Ethiopia being a much poorer country, but that is more because part of their population are nomadic and uneducated who now belong to their country I believe.

Middle and upper class Ethiopians are a highly educated bunch and as befits an educated upper middle class in otherwise relatively undeveloped Africa where competition is a bit rare, have been running and using their own airline since the early 1950's with the most modern equipment (airplane) available. Their culture and language dates from pre-Islamic times (even the times of the Pharaohs) and some of early persecuted Sahabas from Hazrat Nabi SAW took refuge at that kingdom (the generous king who later accepted Islam himself).

Current Ethiopians are a mix of different religions.

This is an Ethiopian Airline flight crew from the 1950's. Very well-trained and professional.

View attachment 13890


Currently Ethiopian has the largest airline fleet in Africa.

View attachment 13891

Your reply was very informative. Thank you.

 

[Saif]

Biman completes in-house C-check, fuel tank addition for Boeing 737

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has successfully completed a significant milestone by conducting the C-8 check and adding a fuel tank to one of its Boeing 737 aircraft using its own manpower. This achievement was celebrated during a ceremony held at the airline's hangar complex in Dhaka's Kurmitola on T

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Biman completes in-house C-check, fuel tank addition for Boeing 737
UNB
Published :
Feb 06, 2025 22:34
Updated :
Feb 06, 2025 22:34

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has successfully completed a significant milestone by conducting the C-8 check and adding a fuel tank to one of its Boeing 737 aircraft using its own manpower.

This achievement was celebrated during a ceremony held at the airline's hangar complex in Dhaka's Kurmitola on Thursday.

The C-check, a thorough inspection procedure carried out after an aircraft has flown for 3,000 hours, is a complex and costly process typically conducted every eight years. Traditionally, these checks have been outsourced to foreign companies or organisations. However, by completing the check in-house, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has claimed a savings of at least two million dollars.

Biman Board Chairman Abdul Mueed Chowdhury was present at the time. "That's how the DC-10 C-checks were done here. I have many memories associated with that, and I'm very pleased that our colleagues have saved so much money completing this work here," he said.

"After five months of hard work, we have completed the C-check of this aircraft. The last C-check of this aircraft was done in 2017 in Indonesia. But this time, with the effort of our engineering department and Boeing's technical assistance, we completed the C-check," said Biman's Engineering and Material Management Department Director Air Commodore Md Monirul Islam.

"If this check had been done abroad, it would have cost Tk 200 to 250 million. I have the calculation that the C-check of this aircraft costs around USD 350,000, with chemicals and other things adding another USD 75,000. In total, the expense was about Tk 60 to 70 million. Now that the check has been completed, I hope this aircraft can fly for at least five to six more years," he said.

The Boeing 737, which underwent the C-check, was manufactured in September 2001 and has flown for 61,683 hours, completing 35,125 flight cycles. The C-check involved a detailed inspection, repair, and modification process that required special expertise and commitment.

After the ceremony, Chairman Abdul Mueed Chowdhury toured the interior of the aircraft.

Biman Managing Director and CEO Safiqul Rahman, Board member Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, and Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam were present at the time, among others.​

 

[Bilal9]

Masha'Allah wonderful achievement!

C-checks are the first step, then eventually "D"-Checks as well (complete teardown of seats, flooring, de-laminations of skin and panels from structure etc. to check for stress-induced cracks).

I am happy that Biman still has one of the youngest (if not THE youngest) state-run airline fleets in South Asia. And service is quite a bit better than other State-run airlines in South Asia, but not as good (especially on-time departures etc.) like Emirates or S'pore (SQ) level. Click to enlarge image.

 

[Saif]

Masha'Allah wonderful achievement!

C-checks are the first step, then eventually "D"-Checks as well (complete teardown of seats, flooring, de-laminations of skin and panels from structure etc. to check for stress-induced cracks).

I am happy that Biman still has one of the youngest (if not THE youngest) state-run airline fleets in South Asia. And service is quite a bit better than other State-run airlines in South Asia, but not as good (especially on-time departures etc.) like Emirates or S'pore (SQ) level. Click to enlarge image.

View attachment 14329

The government has a plan to buy 10-15 wide bodied passenger planes to reduce losses of Bangladesh Biman. I think they will go for Air Bus instead of Boing. It is my understanding that Bangladesh needs to establish an overhauling plant to overhaul all the passenger planes in the inventory. It will reduce cost which will in turn help increase profits.