The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Biman prepares to fly for its derelict destinations in different parts of the world as part of a bailout package aimed at redeeming its past glory as the national flag carrier.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited company is now in a renovation mood as its board has decided to put the national airline on a par with the other world-class airlines.

Its flights to New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Rangoon, Mumbai, Narita and Manchester have now been suspended for aircraft shortages.

“The shortage of aircraft forced the national flag carrier to operate to only 18 overseas destinations out of 26 although the suspended destinations have huge potential,” a high official of the company told UNB.

Biman has long been hamstrung with flight shortages for lack of aircraft. With its wings clipped, the aviation authorities had to frequently cancel its domestic and international flights.

Recently, Biman took up a massive plan to buy eight new-generation aircraft from Boeing at a cost of $1.265 billion (Tk 8,728 crore) and signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard on March 15.

Of the new eight planes, the first consignment of four Boeing 777-300ER planes, with a 463-passenger capacity each, will be delivered in 2013 while the four 394-seater Boeing 787-8s (yet to enter service) will be handed over in 2017.

Before the new arrivals, the airline will have four Boeing aircraft on lease to meet the aircraft shortages and the plane manufacturers will provide necessary assistance in this regard.

“These four aircraft will be used to operate flights on the suspended routes,” said the Biman official.

Of the four leased planes, the first consignment of two Boeing 777s would arrive next year and another two in 2010.

Biman currently owns three types of aircraft-four McDonnell Douglas DC10-30s, four Fokker F28s, and three Airbus A310-300s.

Out of a total of 11 planes of its fleet, only four or five are operating now while the aging rest are grounded.

One of the DC10-30s, which was taken on lease, would be sent to its mother organization next month.

Amid aircraft shortages, Biman abandoned seven international routes and was forced to reduce flight frequencies on five profitable routes linking destinations like Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait.

Recently, Biman has taken a Boeing 747 from a Nigerian company for next six months under ACMI leasing system and another Boeing 747 is likely to join the fleet in May.