Biman
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Biman
Airline's 'lonely hearts' tactic
By Alastair Lawson
BBC News
It could be an advertisement in a newspaper lonely hearts column.
Debt-stricken airline would like to meet wealthy suitor to make life more bearable. Non smoker, good sense of humour definitely required.
That seemed to be exactly what Biman Bangladesh Airlines was saying when it issued an advert for a "strategic partner" in the press on Tuesday.
The airline is now so cash-strapped it is struggling to pay salaries and maintain its elderly fleet of aircraft.
'Difficult position'
Biman's erratic passenger schedule, the poor state of its 13 elderly aircraft, its bloated staff numbers and its failure to pay fuel bills have all given the impression that it has hit severe turbulence.
Analysts are saying that the "lonely hearts ad" which appeared in the country's national press on Tuesday is a last-ditch attempt by the airline to find an international partner.
If none is found, many predict that the airline will fold.
"If we get a suitable partner, Biman can come back to form," Managing Director Abdul Momen told reporters.
"We have floated the international tender seeking a partner to run our business jointly.
"From our side we need new cash funds, new aircraft and expertise to run Biman's operations.
"We are in a very difficult position. We no longer have the ability and resources to run our business. Last month, we even struggled to pay monthly salary to our employees," he said.
Corruption allegations
The airline's financial position is indeed dire, so any possible suitor will need a deep wallet and a fair amount of patience.
BELEAGURED BIMAN
Officials say it will incur huge losses in the next financial year
At least five of its 13 aircraft are out of action
It owes millions of dollars to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation
It faces spiralling costs in aircraft maintenance and fuel prices
A DC-10 and a Fokker F-28 were written off in recent accidents
Five of Biman's aircraft which are currently being repaired abroad - two DC-10s, one Airbus and two Fokker F-28s - cannot be brought back to Dhaka because the airline does not have the money to pay the bills.
Left with just eight aircraft, Biman has been forced to cut many of its 25 international flights, and officials have warned of further cuts to come.
In May, Aviation Minister Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the airline underwent a loss of $80,000 on each flight to New York because of operating old DC-10 aircraft.
In recent years Biman has been beset by corruption allegations, especially over aircraft-leasing, with government-appointed middlemen usually named as the beneficiaries.
The airline's woes have been pinned by many observers on the government's reluctance to relinquish control of Biman and allow it to stand on its own feet.
One report estimated that Biman pays every passenger it transports an average of $20 in compensation for delays.
The government insists it is working to make Biman more efficient, and that the "strategic partner" initiative is intended to claw back losses which approached $42m last year.
It is not a new strategy. The aircraft issued its first "lonely-hearts ad" more than five years ago.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...ia/5298284.stm
By Alastair Lawson
BBC News
It could be an advertisement in a newspaper lonely hearts column.
Debt-stricken airline would like to meet wealthy suitor to make life more bearable. Non smoker, good sense of humour definitely required.
That seemed to be exactly what Biman Bangladesh Airlines was saying when it issued an advert for a "strategic partner" in the press on Tuesday.
The airline is now so cash-strapped it is struggling to pay salaries and maintain its elderly fleet of aircraft.
'Difficult position'
Biman's erratic passenger schedule, the poor state of its 13 elderly aircraft, its bloated staff numbers and its failure to pay fuel bills have all given the impression that it has hit severe turbulence.
Analysts are saying that the "lonely hearts ad" which appeared in the country's national press on Tuesday is a last-ditch attempt by the airline to find an international partner.
If none is found, many predict that the airline will fold.
"If we get a suitable partner, Biman can come back to form," Managing Director Abdul Momen told reporters.
"We have floated the international tender seeking a partner to run our business jointly.
"From our side we need new cash funds, new aircraft and expertise to run Biman's operations.
"We are in a very difficult position. We no longer have the ability and resources to run our business. Last month, we even struggled to pay monthly salary to our employees," he said.
Corruption allegations
The airline's financial position is indeed dire, so any possible suitor will need a deep wallet and a fair amount of patience.
BELEAGURED BIMAN
Officials say it will incur huge losses in the next financial year
At least five of its 13 aircraft are out of action
It owes millions of dollars to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation
It faces spiralling costs in aircraft maintenance and fuel prices
A DC-10 and a Fokker F-28 were written off in recent accidents
Five of Biman's aircraft which are currently being repaired abroad - two DC-10s, one Airbus and two Fokker F-28s - cannot be brought back to Dhaka because the airline does not have the money to pay the bills.
Left with just eight aircraft, Biman has been forced to cut many of its 25 international flights, and officials have warned of further cuts to come.
In May, Aviation Minister Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the airline underwent a loss of $80,000 on each flight to New York because of operating old DC-10 aircraft.
In recent years Biman has been beset by corruption allegations, especially over aircraft-leasing, with government-appointed middlemen usually named as the beneficiaries.
The airline's woes have been pinned by many observers on the government's reluctance to relinquish control of Biman and allow it to stand on its own feet.
One report estimated that Biman pays every passenger it transports an average of $20 in compensation for delays.
The government insists it is working to make Biman more efficient, and that the "strategic partner" initiative is intended to claw back losses which approached $42m last year.
It is not a new strategy. The aircraft issued its first "lonely-hearts ad" more than five years ago.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...ia/5298284.stm
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: on the Blue Planet
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sad state of affair for what was once a proud airline.
Used to fly on the A310 for 'em couple years ago. Based at Dhaka, "coming home" every morning on the VOR approach (EK and the rest of the gang in the hold...) in fog sure tested nerves. As did the approach at Chittagong (itself a bad surfaced old military field), some passing vessel's mast on short final testing one's reaction
Wish you gals and guys all the best, thanks for the food and the hospitality
Used to fly on the A310 for 'em couple years ago. Based at Dhaka, "coming home" every morning on the VOR approach (EK and the rest of the gang in the hold...) in fog sure tested nerves. As did the approach at Chittagong (itself a bad surfaced old military field), some passing vessel's mast on short final testing one's reaction
Wish you gals and guys all the best, thanks for the food and the hospitality
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Biman Pilots threaten strike
To add to the woes:
Pilots’ demand to resolve financial crisis : Biman's domestic flights to stop operation from Sept 6
Sun, 3 Sep 2006, 11:24:00
Officials and employees of Biman Bangladesh Airlines will refrain from operating and ground handling of all domestic flights except Chittagong and Sylhet ones from Tuesday to press home their demands, including regular payment of salaries and allowances.
The routes which will remain suspended from Tuesday include Syedpur, Rajshahi, Barisal and Cox's Bazar.
Besides, they will abstain from operating and ground handling of all domestic flights, including Chittagong and Sylhet from Wednesday.
Biman is responsible for ground handling of all airlines at all the airports in Bangladesh.
The officials and employees of the national flag carrier will also stop ground handling operations of all local and foreign airlines from Thursday if their demands are not met by that time.
These decisions were taken at a meeting of the Sanmilita Sangram Parishad, a newly formed body, representing ten unions and associations of Biman, held at the office of Flight Engineers and Navigators Association (FENA) yesterday evening.
Leaders of Bangladesh Airlines Pilots' Association, Biman Employees Union, Bangladesh Biman Sramik Union, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, Biman Sramik League, Bangladesh Biman Flying Service Association of Cabin Crew, Biman Unit of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Flight Engineers and Navigators Association, Bangladesh Biman Officers' Association and Society of Aircraft Engineers of Bangladesh attended the meeting.
Captain SM Helal, President of Bangladesh Airlines Pilots' Association (BAPA), has been elected the convenor of the newly formed Sanmilita Sangram Parishad.
Managing Director MA Momen admitted that liquidity problem had caused a serious crisis in Biman and said he was aware of the pilots' demands.
"We have urged the government to take necessary steps," Momen said but gave no details.
For the last two months, payment of salary for all staff has been irregular, and employees such as pilots have not been paid their allowances.
Sate Minister for Civil Aviation Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir could not be reached for comment.
Leaders of Pilot Association (BAPA) told reporters that they were also trying to salvage the sinking national flag carrier that had been losing money because of too many non-profitable routes.
"Biman has almost collapsed because of corruption, irregularities and mismanagement," said BAPA general secretary Captain Mahbubur Rahman.
The BAPA leaders said that they would stop flying aircraft from Tuesday, except the planes to and from Chittagong and Sylhet. There would be no pilots available for flights to and from Syedpur, Rajshahi and Barisal.
The pilots said they believed flights on non-profitable routes such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Yangon should be stopped. They said they would not work on such flights from Thursday.
They also threatened to stop ground handling of all national and international airlines from Thursday. Biman is responsible for ground handling of all airlines at all airports in Bangladesh.
BAPA President Captain SM Helal said the government should continue to subsidise its operation. He claimed nine other Biman unions and associations backed the pilots' plans.
Capt Rahman said some people with access to the corridors of power were trying to create a crisis so that they could launch their own private business.
He showed newspaper advertisements of the London-based "United Air", which he said was getting prepared to launch international flights from Bangladesh.
© Copyright 2003 by The New Nation
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/pub...le_30527.shtml
Pilots’ demand to resolve financial crisis : Biman's domestic flights to stop operation from Sept 6
Sun, 3 Sep 2006, 11:24:00
Officials and employees of Biman Bangladesh Airlines will refrain from operating and ground handling of all domestic flights except Chittagong and Sylhet ones from Tuesday to press home their demands, including regular payment of salaries and allowances.
The routes which will remain suspended from Tuesday include Syedpur, Rajshahi, Barisal and Cox's Bazar.
Besides, they will abstain from operating and ground handling of all domestic flights, including Chittagong and Sylhet from Wednesday.
Biman is responsible for ground handling of all airlines at all the airports in Bangladesh.
The officials and employees of the national flag carrier will also stop ground handling operations of all local and foreign airlines from Thursday if their demands are not met by that time.
These decisions were taken at a meeting of the Sanmilita Sangram Parishad, a newly formed body, representing ten unions and associations of Biman, held at the office of Flight Engineers and Navigators Association (FENA) yesterday evening.
Leaders of Bangladesh Airlines Pilots' Association, Biman Employees Union, Bangladesh Biman Sramik Union, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, Biman Sramik League, Bangladesh Biman Flying Service Association of Cabin Crew, Biman Unit of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Flight Engineers and Navigators Association, Bangladesh Biman Officers' Association and Society of Aircraft Engineers of Bangladesh attended the meeting.
Captain SM Helal, President of Bangladesh Airlines Pilots' Association (BAPA), has been elected the convenor of the newly formed Sanmilita Sangram Parishad.
Managing Director MA Momen admitted that liquidity problem had caused a serious crisis in Biman and said he was aware of the pilots' demands.
"We have urged the government to take necessary steps," Momen said but gave no details.
For the last two months, payment of salary for all staff has been irregular, and employees such as pilots have not been paid their allowances.
Sate Minister for Civil Aviation Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir could not be reached for comment.
Leaders of Pilot Association (BAPA) told reporters that they were also trying to salvage the sinking national flag carrier that had been losing money because of too many non-profitable routes.
"Biman has almost collapsed because of corruption, irregularities and mismanagement," said BAPA general secretary Captain Mahbubur Rahman.
The BAPA leaders said that they would stop flying aircraft from Tuesday, except the planes to and from Chittagong and Sylhet. There would be no pilots available for flights to and from Syedpur, Rajshahi and Barisal.
The pilots said they believed flights on non-profitable routes such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Yangon should be stopped. They said they would not work on such flights from Thursday.
They also threatened to stop ground handling of all national and international airlines from Thursday. Biman is responsible for ground handling of all airlines at all airports in Bangladesh.
BAPA President Captain SM Helal said the government should continue to subsidise its operation. He claimed nine other Biman unions and associations backed the pilots' plans.
Capt Rahman said some people with access to the corridors of power were trying to create a crisis so that they could launch their own private business.
He showed newspaper advertisements of the London-based "United Air", which he said was getting prepared to launch international flights from Bangladesh.
© Copyright 2003 by The New Nation
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/pub...le_30527.shtml
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed a very sorry state of affairs. This airline holds so much potential... so many great routes and slots to great normally profitable destinations. On top of that, there are scores of Bangladeshis all over the world. Just think of all the Bangla-wallahs living in the UK and US alone... and if they used their flag carrier flying to and from their country every few years surely this airline could be made extremely profitable. The airline (and Dhaka) could also be used as a springboard to further far-east destinations. On top of all this, think of the millions of Hajjis wanting to go from Bangladesh every year to Mecca and Medina.
It's a pity how much corruption has eaten up this airline.
It's a pity how much corruption has eaten up this airline.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and if they used their flag carrier flying to and from their country every few years surely this airline could be made extremely profitable
Although its sadly true that corruption is a major factor in this airlines demise.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Erehwon
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hard but True
Biman are getting what they richly deserve.
Some of the people are real good news BUT the Managment are/were grossly corrupt.
When I worked for them, my boss the Deputy Chief Flight Engineer was getting cash backhanders openly from the hotel me and a colleague were staying in.
They are so blatant about it. I'm not at all sorry because the airline treats their passengers - especially the migrant workers who pay full price, with utter contempt. It's disgusting to watch.
The cabin crew too, are treated very poorly by the majority of the flight deck crews who are very much able to 'affect' their liviliehood.
I look forward to seeing a 'Phoenix' from these sad ashes. There are some really nice guys there who are trying very hard to change things - most are pissing into the wind.
Some of the people are real good news BUT the Managment are/were grossly corrupt.
When I worked for them, my boss the Deputy Chief Flight Engineer was getting cash backhanders openly from the hotel me and a colleague were staying in.
They are so blatant about it. I'm not at all sorry because the airline treats their passengers - especially the migrant workers who pay full price, with utter contempt. It's disgusting to watch.
The cabin crew too, are treated very poorly by the majority of the flight deck crews who are very much able to 'affect' their liviliehood.
I look forward to seeing a 'Phoenix' from these sad ashes. There are some really nice guys there who are trying very hard to change things - most are pissing into the wind.
