United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s state-owned airline Biman Bangladesh Airlines posted a net profit of Tk 785.21 crore in fiscal 2024–25, nearly tripling earnings from a year earlier, as higher passenger traffic and tighter cost controls lifted the carrier’s financial performance, officials said. The state-owned airline also achieved an operational profit of Tk 1,602 crore during the same period, while its total revenue stood at Tk 11,559 crore — up 9.46 percent year-on-year — the highest in the airline’s history. With this, Biman continued its profit streak for the fifth straight year and posted net profits in nine of the last ten fiscal years, according to a media release signed by Boshra Islam, general manager (public relations) of Biman, on Thursday. The financial statements were disclosed at the airline’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), with Biman Board of Directors Chairman Sk. Bashir Uddin in the chair. The board members and shareholders were also present. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Division and Ministry of Commerce were also present. Experts call for strategy, skilled workforce to lift Biman from setbacks During FY2024–25, Biman operated 21 aircraft and transported a total of 33.83 lakh passengers across 30 domestic and international destinations, representing a 1 percent increase compared to the previous year. The airline’s cargo operations showed significant growth, carrying 43,918 metric tonnes and generating revenue of Tk 925 crore, a 45.21 percent rise year-on-year. Besides, Biman provided ground handling services to 31,112 foreign airline flights, serving more than 6.1 million passengers. Officials said Biman is a fully self-financed state-owned enterprise and has not received any government subsidy in its 54-year history. In January 2025, the airline achieved its highest-ever ticket sales, reflecting growing passenger confidence and rising market popularity. Faster baggage delivery, improved in-flight services and modernised airport processes have contributed to higher customer satisfaction. Sk Bashir Uddin made Chairman of Biman's Board of Directors Biman has also maintained a strong safety record by strictly adhering to international aviation safety standards. Aviation experts have praised the airline’s recent fleet modernisation, expansion of profitable international routes and enhanced customer service.

Acknowledging the suffering of general people due to rice price hike, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin has said that the government cut a 60 percent duty on rice import to keep the local market stable. He said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with his Turkey counterpart Prof Dr Ömer Bolat at the Secretariat on Thursday. Asked about the preparedness ahead of the Ramadan to keep commodities at tolerable levels, he said, “We are prepared overall with the Ramadan and taking several initiatives on the rice market at this moment. We are relaxing the import while the duty on rice import was about 63 percent; we have reduced it to 3 percent.” The Ministry of Food has been importing several lakh tonnes of rice from India, Pakistan and Myanmar, said the adviser. Bashir Uddin assured that there would be no crisis of rice till April as a full season of Aman was going on now. There has been no inconsistency of any product so far. Read: Government aims to stabilize rice market, ensure trader support: Commerce Adviser Seeking cooperation from the reporters to take actions against syndicates who manipulate the rice market, he said that there was no crisis of the rice market now but the rice price hiked slightly due to the weather, flood and other issues. Warning of strict action against the manipulators, he hoped that the rice market would be stable soon. He said distribution of rice to 63 lakh families who hold TCB smart cards would begin this week and 50 lakh families would also get rice at lower price under the Food-friendly Programme. Replying to a query, adviser Bashir Uddin said they scrapped 37 lakh smart cards due to corruption as one more member from the same family managed cards through forgery. Read more: Government to import rice, LNG to meet domestic demand "We want to add another 37 lakh cards. If it’s possible to increase it from one crore by bringing transparency in procurement and marketing, we will do that too,” he said.