Boeing
Boeing predicts air travel in Bangladesh will double in next 10 years
US aircraft manufacturer giant Boeing has predicted that air travel in Bangladesh will double in the next decade – driven by the country’s growing population, expanding economy and the middleclass.
Boeing provided details about the increasing demand and capacity for air travel in Bangladesh in a briefing today in Dhaka, on its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), a yearly forecast of global and regional demand for aircraft.
Through 2032, Bangladesh is expected to achieve an annual economic growth rate of more than 5% -- double the global average, supporting air traffic growth at nearly 8.5% annually, according to Boeing.
Read More: NOVOAIR launches direct flight on Jashore-Cox’s Bazar route
“As travel restrictions were relaxed over the past year, capacity growth in Bangladesh has increased by 11% year-over-year,” said Dave Schulte, Boeing Commercial Marketing Managing Director for Asia Pacific and India, on Wednesday (May 10, 2023).
Led by regional traffic to the Middle East and India, Bangladesh’s air travel could double over the next 10 years, he said.
To meet strong demands in passenger travel and air cargo, Boeing anticipates South Asia’s carriers will need more than 2,300 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years, more than tripling South Asia’s current in-service fleet of 700 airplanes.
Read: US-Bangla Airlines to operate Boeing 737 Max 8
“We see tremendous opportunity in South Asia, with more than 80% of new deliveries supporting air travel growth and 20% replacing older, less fuel-efficient airplanes,” said Schulte.
Single-aisle airplanes like the Boeing 737 family will make up nearly 90% of South Asia’s future fleet, while 10% of the regional fleet will be widebody airplanes like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Both airplane models are currently in operation with Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines.
“Boeing airplanes have played a tremendous role in the rapid growth of commercial aviation in Bangladesh. Commonality across the fleet will continue to play a major role in furthering growth, especially as it enables our airline customers to reduce operating costs and expenditures associated with training and maintenance,” added the Boeing Commercial Marketing Managing Director for Asia Pacific and India.
Read More: Target trade-based capital flight, not genuine consumption through imports: Economists
Collision between aircraft: 5 Biman officials, including principal engineer, suspended
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended its principal engineer and four other officials as two of the carrier's Boeing aircraft recently suffered damage after a collision in a Dhaka airport hangar.
The decision was taken based on the report of the investigation committee formed by the civil aviation and tourism ministry, said Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, Biman's managing director and CEO.
The five officials include Principal Engineer Mohammad Badrul Islam, three engineer officers, and a ground support equipment operator.
They were held responsible for violating section 55 of the service rules of Bangladesh Biman Corporation Employees (1979) Regulations, a punishable offence, according to the report.
On April 10, a Boeing 737 collided with Boeing 777 while exiting the hangar.
The radome and front bulkhead of the 777 aircraft and the horizontal stabiliser on the left of the 737 aircraft were partially damaged.
This was the third accident to befall the Biman fleet since mid-February this year.
After undergoing repairs, both aircraft returned to service.
Clashes like this usually occur due to the carelessness of tow truck operators or ground teams.
Also read: Collision between two Biman planes at Shahjalal Int’l Airport
US-Bangla Airlines includes two more aircraft to its fleet
US-Bangla Airlines has included two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its fleet.
With the inclusion of two Boeing 737s, the number of US-Bangla aircraft rose to 16.
Two Boeing 737-800 aircraft reached Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:00 PM and 11:30 PM on Friday.
Also read: US Bangla launches Dhaka-Male-Dhaka direct flights
These two aircraft from Jordan has 189 economy class seats. US-Bangla is also going to start flights from Dhaka to Colombo, Sharjah, and Delhi route with this aircraft, said a media release.
Business development director of US-Bangla Airlines Capt. Lutfor Rahman and other officials of Civil Aviation Authority and US-Bangla Airlines were present at the at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while receiving the aircraft.
Also read: Coronavirus: US Bangla to provide PPE to medical college hospitals free of cost
Boeing says pandemic will cut demand for planes for a decade
Boeing is lowering its expectations around demand for new planes over the next decade as the coronavirus pandemic continues to undercut air travel.
Virus outbreak in China poses a new problem for Boeing
Boeing sold no new airline jets in January, and now the company is worried that the virus outbreak in China could hurt airplane deliveries in the first quarter.
PM to inaugurate construction of Dhaka airport’s 3rd terminal Saturday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Saturday.
Boeing's Starliner capsule makes launch debut, but hits snag
Boeing's new Starliner capsule ran into trouble and went off course in orbit minutes after blasting off Friday on its first test flight, a crucial dress rehearsal for next year's inaugural launch with astronauts.
Boeing gets FAA message, will halt Max production in January
The message to Boeing Co. from the Federal Aviation Administration was clear: The grounded 737 Max won't get approval to fly again anytime soon. So the company had little choice but to idle the giant factory where the plane is made.
Boeing to halt production of 737 Max airliner in January
Boeing Co. said Monday that it will temporarily stop producing its grounded 737 Max jet starting in January as it struggles to get approval from regulators to put the plane back in the air.
Boeing's grounded 737 Max scores 2nd order at Dubai Airshow
Boeing's 737 Max jet got another boost at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday, this time with an order from Kazakhstan's newly-launched budget carrier as the Chicago-based company works to try and win U.S. regulatory approval to get the airplane back in the sky by early next year.