Biman Bangladesh Airlines could be expanding its fleet with new aircraft from Airbus. Outgoing Managing Director and CEO of the national flag carrier, Shafiul Azim, made the indication during a views exchange meeting with the Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) today (May 29, 2024). The meeting, held in Dhaka, saw the participation of ATJFB members led by their president, Tanzim Anwar. Addressing the forum, the outgoing Biman MD said that Airbus had proposed two offers to Biman for aircraft procurement. “Initially, Airbus offered us two cargo planes, but we decided we do not need them at the moment. Instead, we expressed our interest in expanding our passenger fleet. Subsequently, Airbus proposed four passenger aircraft, which was a better offer. This proposal has been evaluated by the committee and forwarded to the board for approval,” Azim explained. He emphasized the importance of diversifying their fleet, noting that currently, 16 out of 21 large aircraft in Biman’s fleet are from Boeing. “We are considering Airbus’s offers seriously. Diversifying our aircraft will not only mitigate risk but also appeal to passengers who appreciate newer models,” Azim said. Airbus leading in Bangladesh’s aircraft purchase consideration over Boeing? Regarding Boeing, Azim mentioned that they also received an offer from Boeing, which will be evaluated. “We have a longstanding relationship with Boeing, not just in terms of aircraft procurement but also their technical support and credit facilities. We are working well together,” he added. Azim highlighted Biman’s advantageous position due to the competitive proposals from both Airbus and Boeing. He assured that regardless of the manufacturer chosen, Biman stands to benefit as a customer. When asked about the financial status of Biman, Azim confidently stated that Biman has been “profitable for eight out of the last ten years.” The two years of losses included one year heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and another due to significant payment obligations. “Despite challenges such as dollar shortages and ongoing global conflicts, we have remained profitable,” the Biman MD said. He further defended Biman’s financial health, pointing out that regular audits have confirmed their profitability. “We continue to hire, pay salaries and bonuses, including profit bonuses. If Biman wasn’t profitable, where would this money come from? To those who doubt our success, I pray they find guidance,” he remarked. PM’s likely Visit to Paris: France hopes significant progress on purchase from Airbus, satellite Reflecting on his tenure, Azim expressed satisfaction with his management approach. “During my time, I never hesitated to reward deserving employees or to impose necessary disciplinary actions. I have used my authority to the fullest and believe that with effort, Biman can compete with the world’s leading airlines,” he stated. Addressing the frequent changes in Biman’s leadership, Azim underscored the need for a stable management system. “Our human and technical resources are competent. If systems and structures are in place, the organization won’t rely on any single individual. I have focused on establishing these systems,” he noted. He also recommended retaining experienced personnel in technical fields, regardless of age, as experience grows with time. “Biman should not function with the mindset of a government office; it is a commercial entity and should be managed commercially,” Azim advised. He expressed a slight regret, wishing that four new aircraft could have been added to Biman’s fleet during his tenure. Read more: Jahidul Islam Bhuiyan appointed as MD of Biman On May 26, the Ministry of Public Administration announced Md. Jahidul Islam Bhuiyan as the new Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. In a separate announcement, Shafiul Azim was promoted to Secretary of the Election Commission.

Bangladesh has been making fast strides in digitalization across the board. Gone are the days when queuing up for hours was the only option for a ticket during any major holiday. Now, based on availability, tickets can be purchased online for buses, trains, and planes. Here’s how to do it. Best Platforms to Buy Plane, Bus and Train Tickets in Bangladesh  Biman Bangladesh Airlines  Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the premier airline of Bangladesh. As the flag carrier, Biman has been successfully operating international and domestic flights since 1972.  Biman offers online ticketing services for their international and domestic flights. Users can conveniently book flights from the website or use the Biman app available for both Android and iOS users. For any kind of query regarding booking and baggage, users can contact their hotline number.  Read more: How to Buy a Used Motorcycle: A Detailed Checklist Bangladesh Railway E-Ticketing Service  Bangladesh Railway E-Ticketing Service is the premier online ticketing service for train travel in Bangladesh. The platform has endeavored to ease the ticketing process by shifting the service to online. Currently, tickets can be bought 10 days in advance for any route of Bangladesh Railway.  The service also has an app called Rail Sheba. Users can conveniently check schedules and book tickets from the app. Usually, each person is allowed to book up to 4 tickets from one account.  Bus BD  Bus BD is one of the premier websites for booking bus tickets in Bangladesh. The ticketing portal is a subsidy of Robi Axiata Limited. Read more: How to Avoid Scams During Travel Bookings Currently, the portal is operating in all districts of Bangladesh with over 100 bus services under their coverage. The portal busbd.com.bd is easy to navigate with intuitive search and selection options. The standard rate of fare applies to all the tickets purchased through the portal. However, during a rush season like Eid, the platform introduces a reserve ticket system which adds to the cost. Additionally, there’s a 10% ticket cancellation fee for selected bus operators. Bus BD uses the SSLCommerz gateway to support bank, card, and MFS payments for the tickets.  BD Tickets  BD Ticket is an all-in-one portal that also works as a booking site under Robi Axiata Limited. Unlike Bus BD, BD Tickets offers tickets for buses, planes, launches, and hotels. Users can book from their website or the app available for both Android and Apple users.  Read more: 8 Best Motorbikes Coming to Bangladesh in 2024 The web and app interface show search options for all three modes. However, users would have to call their hotline number to confirm air and launch tickets as the interface is still in the development stage.  Users can book tickets in simple intuitive steps and pay through all the leading online payment services.  Launch BD  Launch BD is a dedicated service working alongside Bus BD under the same management. Previously, users were able to search and book for launch tickets directly from the Launch BD portal. But now the booking service has been shifted to Bus BD and BD Tickets portal.  Read more: Shopping in Kolkata: What to Buy and Where to Buy from Shohoz  Shohoz initially offered an all-in-one integrated bus ticketing service to the users. The hassle-free booking and cancellation policy made Shohoz a reliable and popular ticketing service for many.  Later, the company developed the technical infrastructure of the Bangladesh Railway E-Ticketing Service and currently provides train tickets from their dedicated website and app as well. Shohoz also launched its air and waterway ticketing service recently. The air ticketing service is still in its beta state.  Shohoz currently covers over 100 bus companies on over 30 routes. Their launch ticketing service covers more than 50 launches in several local routes.  Read more: Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning while Travelling Jatri  Jatri aims to radically transform the public transportation scenario in Bangladesh by creating a digital ticketing, fleet management, and mobility marketplace for users and stakeholders.  Currently, Jatri offers bus and launch ticket booking services through their website. Users also have the option for reserve bus booking from the portal. This Eid, Jatri is partnering up with bKash for a 100 BDT cashback on ticket booking.  Chokrojan  Chokrojan is another reliable online bus ticket booking portal in Bangladesh. The platform was founded in 2019 to provide a smooth online bus ticketing service to users. Chokrojan is offering tickets for over 1443 trips daily in over 247 destinations.  Read more: Can You Travel Abroad Without Buying US Dollars? The platform currently partners with over 24 bus companies on 64 routes across Bangladesh. The intuitive booking system shows the bus service, fare, and available tickets based on destinations. Users will also be able to select seats according to their preferences.  GoZayaan  GoZayaan is one of the first online travel aggregators in Bangladesh. Founded in 2017, GoZayaan has been working tirelessly in the aviation travel industry both locally and internationally. In addition to their ticketing service, the travel aggregator also offers tour packages across the globe.  The online portal has a sleek and intuitive interface for users to search and book flights. GoZayaan follows standard cancellation policies set by the respective airlines. The convenience fee is non-refundable in case of cancellation.  Read more: Hassle-free travel tips for senior citizens Flight Expert  Being a concern of the Makkah Group, Flight Expert has been providing online travel agent services for several years. Since its inception, the organization has worked to provide all-around support to users from flight booking to hotel management.  Similar to other OTAs, Flight Expert has an intuitive landing page in their portal from where the users can easily search and book flights.  Flight Expert has two unique features that give it a competitive edge in the air travel aggregator segment. Firstly, they have the ‘Best Price Guaranteed’ feature which means they will provide the cheapest rate available for a flight. Secondly, they also have the ‘Book Now Pay Later’ feature which allows users to book and hold a flight for a certain period.  Read more: How to comfortably travel with babies Buy Tickets  Buy Tickets started its operation as a sister concern of Airspan Limited. The OTA started its operation back in 2018 and has since been providing reliable air ticket service to the users. In addition to domestic and foreign flight ticketing services, Buy Tickets also provides comprehensive information on visa processing for different countries.  Currently, the platform is providing up to 15% discount on air tickets in collaboration with bKash for the Eid holiday.  Final Words  With online ticketing services, traveling across Bangladesh and internationally has become easier than ever. Several leading online travel aggregators are providing service with diligence and efficiency. Coupled with selective offers and discounts, it is not only easier but also better to book tickets online rather than going for the physical route.  Read more: Visa-free Eid Vacation for Bangladeshis: 10 Best Affordable Overseas Destinations

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will start operating Dhaka-Rome flights from March next year, Biman MD and CEO Shafiul Azim said today (December 21, 2023). He was speaking at the ATJFB dialogue, organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalist Forum of Bangladesh, at the Biman Training Centre in Dhaka. All Biman employees to get 5% allowance as ‘special incentive’ Mohammad Salahuddin, director (marketing) of Biman, said, "We discontinued the Dhaka-Rome flight after 2009. Now it will be resumed, for which GSA has been appointed, and ground-handling has been finalised.” “We can operate direct flights to Rome, Italy or via another country. We are studying it. It will take 9-10 hours for the direct flight to reach Rome,” he said. Biman commences flights on Dhaka-Chennai route For possible transition points, he mentioned Kuwait or Dubai. However, nothing is finalised, he said. ATJFB President and Special Correspondent of BSS, Md Tanzim Anwar, moderated the dialogue. ATJFB General Secretary and Bangla Vision Special Correspondent Ziaul Haque Sabuj delivered the welcome speech. London-bound Biman makes emergency landing in Sofia to save ailing passenger Senior officials of Biman and ATJFB members were present in the dialogue.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has published a job circular for the recruitment of manpower. 40 people will be recruited for the post of Aircraft Mechanic (Maintenance) in this airline. Interested candidates should apply online. Vacancies in Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited in 2023 Post Name: Aircraft Mechanic (Maintenance) No. of Posts: 40 Eligibility: Must have completed CAATI/EASS Part 147 approved BI.I (Aircraft Turbine) or B2 (Avionics) course. Preference will be given to candidates with minimum one year related work experience in aircraft maintenance organization. First Division with Science in both SSC and HSC examination or minimum GPA-3.5 on a scale of 5. A minimum of 'D' in any five subjects in 'O' Level and minimum 'D' in any two subjects in 'A' Level. Read more: Job Circular in Rampal power plant 2023: 12 people will be appointed in five category posts Minimum 60 percent marks in both Physics and Mathematics or GPA-5 scale 3.5 in HSC examination. A minimum of 'C' in both Physics and Mathematics at 'A' level. Age: Below 30 years as on 25 March 2020. 32 years in case of children of brave freedom fighters. Pay Scale: 12,500-30,230 Tk Type of job The selected candidates for this post will initially be appointed on contractual basis for a period of three years. Assimilation will be permanent from the date of joining after satisfactory completion of three years contractual service. Read more: Here's how you can apply for a Canadian work visa from Bangladesh How to apply Interested candidates should apply by filling the form on this website. Detailed information regarding recruitment can be known in this link. If there is any problem in applying online, call 121 from Teletalk number or email at [email protected]. Application fee Application fee of Tk 334 should be deposited through SMS from Teletalk prepaid mobile number within 72 hours of online form filling. Last date of application: 27 June 2023, up to 5 PM. Read more: 7 Ways to Earn Money with ChatGpt

Action will be taken over allegations of corruption and nepotism in recruitment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines pilots, state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali warned today (September 6, 2022). He was speaking at the 'BSRF Dialogue' organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat. The state minister said several newspapers have reported on the allegations regarding the pilots' recruitment. Read: Biman launches flights to China’s Guangzhou "It has been investigated by the highest level, through various agencies. We have also investigated the issues through our ministry, and the airline has its own investigation too," the state minister said. Likely, nine of the initially appointed pilots were selected and were dropped or they did not join, he added. He said some are currently in simulation training. Read:ACC approves charges against 3 former, 1 current Biman high-ups “This is the latest information I have. Reviewing their performance from the training, a final decision will be made on their appointments,” he said. "We will also take action against those who initially selected them (pilots), following the investigation report," Mahbub added. Bangladesh Pilot Association (BAPA) also sent a letter to the airlines' managing director on August 28 demanding investigation into irregularities, corruption and nepotism in recruiting pilots. Read US-Bangla to operate international flights on four routes from Saturday Regarding the harassment at the tourist center, he said the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Cox's Bazar and other tourist destinations were directed to monitor everything closely. "I asked the magistrate to see the price list." The state minister also hoped that the newly-built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be able to operate from October next year. At the third terminal, arrangements are being made so that passengers can get transport at all times, he added. Read US-Bangla resumes Chattogram-Kolkata flights September 1 He also said initiatives have been taken to upgrade Cox's Bazar Airport to an international standard. Besides, aesthetically pleasing and modern terminals have been constructed in Saidpur and Jashore. "We will also take the initiative to construct an airport in Barishal." Regarding gold smuggling, the state minister said, "We have instructed airport authorities to check all passengers as soon as they get off flights." Read US-Bangla to operate two daily flight from Dhaka-Kolkata from August 4 BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume its online ticket sale from February 27. Biman is going to restart services including  online ticketing, booking, check-in, web service on February 27 through new Passenger Service Solution (PSS) "SABRE" for the convenience of passengers, said a media release. Now Biman passengers will again be able to enjoy all the facilities including online ticket purchase from the airline's website. Read: Biman's golden jubilee: Hasina unveils special postage stamp For transferring information from the existing service solution SITA to SABRE, ticket booking/reservation and ticket issuing related services will remain closed  from 3:45 pm on February 26 to 3 am on February 27, added the release. From the morning of February 27, all the sales centres of the airline, commercial website (www.biman-airlines.com), air call centre (019909977997) and normal operation of reservation and ticketing through its authorised sales agent will be automatically operational.

The body of Biman pilot Captain Nowshad Ataul Qayum, who died in India following a mid-air heart attack, will be brought back home on Thursday, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mohammad Mahbub Ali. “Nowshad’s body will arrive around 8:30 am on Thursday,” he said while talking to reporters after inaugurating the ‘Online Reservation System and Hotel Management System under Enterprise Resource Planning (version-2), at the conference room of his ministry on Wednesday. “We’re extremely shocked as we’ve lost such a pilot who had shown his efficiency and responsibility by saving the lives of passengers before. We deeply mourn his premature demise,” he said, adding that all necessary steps have been taken to bring Nowshad’s body back. Read:Biman Pilot Nowshad: A hero in his death Mahbub Ali also conveyed his deep sympathy to his bereaved family members. Replying to a question about the process, he said, “As regular flights in India remained suspended, we’ve to take permission from the Foreign Minister and the Civil Aviation of India. We’ll go for an easier option.” Captain Nowshad Ataul Qayum, who was hailed for landing his plane safely in Nagpur after he suffered a heart attack in mid-air, died at a hospital in India on August 30. The Biman flight (BG022), carrying 124 passengers, had to make an emergency landing in Nagpur on August 27 after Nowshad fell sick while piloting the plane from Muscat to Dhaka. Since then, the 44-year-old pilot had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nagpur where he breathed his last.

Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has facilitated repatriation of a group of 61 Bangladeshi, Thai and other foreign nationals from Thailand to Bangladesh by a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Since outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the Embassy of Bangladesh, Bangkok has so far facilitated 14 special flights from Bangkok to Dhaka in coordination with the authorities concerned in Bangladesh and Thailand.  Read: 78 Bangladeshis, foreign nationals arrive from Thailand Officers of the Embassy saw the passengers off at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and extended necessary consularand other assistance for their departure formalities. The latest flight was arranged on self-payment basis in line with the Bangladesh Government’s commitment to extend all possible assistance and support for repatriation of stranded Bangladeshis abroad.  The Biman Bangladesh flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, said a media release on Sunday.  Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye thanked the Thai Government for extending their cooperation in repatriation of the stranded Bangladeshi nationals. Read: Thailand axes travel corridors with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan  

Around 200 Saudi Arabia-bound migrant workers staged a protest inside the Dhaka airport early on Saturday morning after a scheduled special flight of Biman Bangladesh to Riyadh was cancelled at the last minute. The special flight to Riyadh was scheduled to take off around 6.15 am, with some 201 passengers, said Tahera Khandaker, DGM (Public Relations)of Biman Bangladesh. "But the flight was cancelled as the Saudi authorities made a delay in giving landing permission." The aggrieved passengers of the flight soon staged a protest inside the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Also read: Coordinated efforts made to ensure expats' comfortable return to 5 countries: FM "However, the authorities concerned have made special arrangements for all the passengers at different hotels. They will fly later," said Tahera. The government has decided to operate special flights of national carrier Biman to five countries, including four in the Middle East with high concentration of Bangladeshi expat workers, from April 17. Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers The government has suspended operations of all domestic and international passenger flights to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country during the 'all-out lockdown', which came into effect on April 14. However, the special air services will allow overseas workers currently stuck in Bangladesh to return to their places of work, officials have said. Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17

The suspension of international and domestic flights, fall in air travel demand and economic uncertainty following the outbreak of coronavirus across the world continue to cause huge losses to airlines in Bangladesh.