Experts urge strategy, skilled manpower to help Biman overcome setbacks

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is facing mounting challenges with frequent technical glitches, flight delays, cancellations, and mismanagement, sparking growing concerns over the reliability of the national carrier.

Passenger confidence has steadily declined, with both foreign travelers and many Bangladeshis opting for alternatives. Humayun Kabir, a UK-based Bangladeshi, said he avoids Biman not only for technical issues but also due to staff behavior. “They don’t know how to treat their expatriate brothers. Sometimes it really hurts,” he said.

Domestic passengers share similar frustrations. M Farhad Ullah, a businessman from Chattogram, remarked, “I’m less worried about in-flight services, but flight safety is a major concern. Biman must improve its service quality to restore its image.”

Amid these concerns, aviation experts are calling for urgent management reforms and the training of skilled pilots, engineers, and cabin crew before further fleet expansion. They warned that unless inefficiencies are addressed, Biman risks worsening its operational crisis. One expert noted, “Operating aircraft on an ad hoc basis or through bureaucracy will not work. Permanent, skilled, and commercially trained professionals must manage flights.”

Experts also advised prioritising smaller regional aircraft, citing lower maintenance costs compared to wide-body jets.

Recent reports highlight Biman’s worsening mechanical troubles—at least nine aircraft faced technical faults last month alone, causing widespread disruptions. While some planes have been repaired, others remain grounded, further straining operations. Though major accidents were avoided, the incidents raised serious doubts about Biman’s maintenance standards.

In response, Biman is preparing to lease two aircraft and has launched a fresh procurement plan. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has decided to purchase 25 aircraft from Boeing as part of a broader trade and diplomatic initiative with the US, though no final deal has been signed.

Speaking to UNB, aviation analyst and former Biman board member Kazi Wahidul Alam stressed that management restructuring must come before expansion. “Aircraft shortages are not the root problem. The lack of aviation expertise is. We must stabilise the organisation first, then think of growth,” he said.

Wahidul Alam highlighted the need to train professionals domestically, noting that hiring foreign pilots or engineers could cost around $10,000 per person per month. He also warned against nepotism in recruitment, urging merit-based hiring.

On fleet strategy, he pointed out that Bangladesh’s aviation demand is mostly short-haul, with limited long-haul routes. “Smaller regional aircraft are more suitable and cost-effective. For the price of eight wide-body jets, we could buy twelve smaller ones. The Boeing 737 is a strong option, while the 777 or 787 could serve longer routes,” he explained.

He also cautioned that ageing aircraft continue to cause recurring mechanical problems, underscoring the need for stricter oversight and regular quality checks.

Biman currently operates 19 aircraft, including 14 Boeing jets—four 737-800s, four 777-300ERs, four 787-8s, and two 787-9s—alongside five Dash-8 Q400s.