Biman Bangladesh Airlines has successfully completed a significant milestone by conducting the C-8 check and adding a fuel tank to one of its Boeing 737 aircraft using its own manpower.
This achievement was celebrated during a ceremony held at the airline’s hangar complex in Dhaka’s Kurmitola on Thursday.
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The C-check, a thorough inspection procedure carried out after an aircraft has flown for 3,000 hours, is a complex and costly process typically conducted every eight years. Traditionally, these checks have been outsourced to foreign companies or organisations. However, by completing the check in-house, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has claimed a savings of at least two million dollars.
Biman Board Chairman Abdul Mueed Chowdhury was present at the time. "That’s how the DC-10 C-checks were done here. I have many memories associated with that, and I’m very pleased that our colleagues have saved so much money completing this work here," he said.
“After five months of hard work, we have completed the C-check of this aircraft. The last C-check of this aircraft was done in 2017 in Indonesia. But this time, with the effort of our engineering department and Boeing’s technical assistance, we completed the C-check,” said Biman’s Engineering and Material Management Department Director Air Commodore Md Monirul Islam.
“If this check had been done abroad, it would have cost Tk 20 to 25 crore. I have the calculation that the C-check of this aircraft costs around USD 350,000, with chemicals and other things adding another USD 75,000. In total, the expense was about Tk 6 to 7 crore. Now that the check has been completed, I hope this aircraft can fly for at least five to six more years,” he said.
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The Boeing 737, which underwent the C-check, was manufactured in September 2001 and has flown for 61,683 hours, completing 35,125 flight cycles. The C-check involved a detailed inspection, repair, and modification process that required special expertise and commitment.
After the ceremony, Chairman Abdul Mueed Chowdhury toured the interior of the aircraft.
Biman Managing Director and CEO Safiqul Rahman, Board member Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, and Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam were present at the time, among others.