Boeing offers to sell two aircraft to Biman

US-based aviation giant Boeing has recently offered to sell two wide-body aircraft to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, according to Shafiul Azim, MD and CEO of Biman.

Shafiul Azim was speaking at an event titled "ATJFB Dialogue" organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum in Dhaka yesterday.

The Biman MD also mentioned that the national flag carrier had incurred a loss of Tk1,400 crore in the past one year only because of dollar exchange rate hike.

Shafiul Azim said, "Boeing has made offers to sell two wide bodies including freighters. There is also an offer from Airbus."

"Its offer is on our table. After scrutinising that, we'll choose the best option. The same process as for Airbus [another aviation giant] will be followed for Boeing," he said.

Biman will not take any decision that will harm the business, Shafiul Azim added.

However, he said that there is no political pressure to buy aircraft from any country.

Shafiul Azim did not give a clear answer to the question of whether Biman will buy aircraft from only one company.

Biman currently has a modern fleet of 21 aircraft, predominantly consisting of Boeing aircraft.

A delegation of Boeing met the Biman MD on 5 December where US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas also attended.

It was a business meeting where the Boeing vice president was accompanied by Ambassador Peter Haas, Shafiul Azim said.

During the meeting Biman sought more support from Boeing in the fields of maintenance, training and purchase of spare parts.

"We requested the embassy to support us as an associate and avoid doing things that are harmful to businesses."

The Biman MD said, "We'll maintain business ties with those who offer well and at the same time maintain good relations."

When asked whether buying new aircraft would become a luxury for Biman given its financial capabilities and fleet utilisation efficiency, Shafiul Azim said, "Major companies are coming to us because we have the capability. It's a luxury business, and you need to have the courage. We are buying planes with the income from our airline, and we are not missing any instalment for the purchased aircraft."

"We should aim to buy 50 aircraft in the future, and it should be for the long term. However, the aircraft should not do something that turns it into a luxury," he said.

He mentioned that recently Biman has bought a Dash aircraft which was earlier added under lease.

He said Biman has entered 3.2-million passengers' milestone this year.

Meanwhile, when asked whether the ground handling work of the third terminal of Dhaka Airport is in the hands of Biman, he said, "The main operation of ground handling is in our charge and we will run it."

The Biman MD further said, "We will not compromise even a bit on the quality of service when it comes to the equipment and personnel for ground handling, to ensure it meets international standards."

Biman is currently working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency in this regard, he said.

Biman to resume Dhaka–Rome flights in March

Mohammad Salahuddin, director (marketing and sales) of Biman, said, "We discontinued the Dhaka-Rome flight in 2009 due to shortage of fleets. Now it will resume in March."

Biman can operate direct flights to Rome, Italy or via another country, he said. "We are now studying the options. It will take 9-10 hours for the direct flight to reach Rome."

For possible transition points, Mohammad Salahuddin mentioned Kuwait or Dubai. "However, nothing has been finalised yet."

The Biman MD also said that they are working to open Chattogram-Kunming, and Dhaka- Hong Kong- Guangzhou flights.

ATJFB President and Special Correspondent of BSS Md Tanzim Anwar moderated the dialogue. ATJFB General Secretary and BanglaVision Special Correspondent Ziaul Haque Sabuj delivered a welcome speech.