The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Best Air, a leading private airliner of the country on August 24 announced that it added one new MD83 aircraft to consolidate its international network.

Speaking to newsmen while receiving the airplane at ZIA, Chairman and CEO M Haideruzzaman said the MD83 aircraft had been leased from Trans Global Airways. "This new addition has increased the fleet strength of Best Air to two. We are trying to face challenges of the rising fuel cost," he said, recalling many airlines have succumbed to the challenge. "We definitely want to survive."

He said domestic and international air traffic has dropped by 40 percent as compared to last year because of higher fares. "Best Air has taken a number of initiatives to control cost. All our aircraft are configured economy class. "

Haider said the new MD83 aircraft will primarily be used on upcoming routes between DAC-SIN, DAC-KUL, DAC-DXB and DAC-MLE.

He has plans how his airline will compete with the other airlines that operate on the same routes and he said Bangladeshi passengers mostly preferred their own airlines and it is Best Air.

Haider added: " Dealing with this type of aircraft results in simplified and efficient operations. Such operations mean the quickest and most cost-effective service possible, and savings passed on to our customers in the form of competitive fares."

The carrier plans to expand its fleet further in this year.