Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national carrier has turned 48 years. Its current fleet size has increased along with profits and an ambition to match.
Biman’s on time arrival increased to 90% since September last year compared to just 50% on average before that according to “The Punctuality League-2019” list thereby removing its bad reputation in relation to flight delays. In comparision the international average is 80% on time where performance is measured by looking at flights that arrive or depart within 15 minutes of their schedule.
The airlines increased its fleet size with introduction of modern aircraft and plans to purchase 6 more to become one of the best carriers in Asia. The management has plans to acquire four Boeing 787 Dreamliners and two Bombardier Dash-8 passenger aircraft. In addition they will purchase another two Boeing 777 cargo aircraft to ramp up their cargo transportation business, which have much demand from exporters of the country targeting Europe and the Middle East.
The De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has proposed Biman to purchase two more Dash 8 regional passenger aircraft late last year. Biman will soon commence negotiations with the Canadian aerospace manufacturer to finalise a deal.
It currently operates just two Dash 8 aircraft acquired on lease. Three new aircraft will join from Bombardier in June to boost its regional operations. One of the leased Dash 8s will also be returned that month bringing the total of the Dash 8 fleet to four aircraft. As a result of the shortage in aircraft Biman has had to operate Boeing 737-800 long haul aircraft on domestic routes which has led to losses.
Biman may also take up an unsolicited offer by Boeing to purchase four new 787 Dreamliners from its readymade stock after an Indian company failed to pay for the aircraft it had ordered earlier.
Authorities at Biman will purchase the Dreamliners if they receive the same offer as earlier two 787-9s purchased from Boeing at half price after Hainan Airlines cancelled their order due to its own financial crisis. At present Biman flies to 16 international destinations and is adding Chennai, Colombo, Guanzhou, Male, New York, Tokyo and Toronto this year. It added flight operations to Manchester since yesterday.
According to information disclosed at the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) Biman earned profit of Tk 218 crore in 2018-19 fiscal.
