United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus arrived here in Thai capital on Thursday afternoon to join the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit. A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Chief Adviser and his entourage arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok at 12 pm (Thailand), Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. Dr Yunus was received by Thai Minister in Attendance Jiraporn Sindhuprai, he said. Dr Yunus will hold a number of meetings with BIMSTEC leaders on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, including a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bangladesh sees this year's BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled to be held on April 4, "very important" for the country as it will assume the chairmanship of the grouping for the next two years. Dr Yunus leaves for Bangkok to attend 6th BIMSTEC Summit Dhaka also thinks the summit will provide them with an opportunity to present a "just and inclusive" Bangladesh in South and Southeast Asia, officials said this week. Prior to this year’s BIMSTEC Summit, the Chief Adviser will deliver a keynote speech titled “BIMSTEC Young Generation Forum: Where the Future Meets” at the forum on Thursday. The theme of the 6th summit, which is being held three years after the 5th summit (Virtual, Colombo, 30 March 2022), is “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC”. The summit, which aims at fostering collaboration among the member states to address the shared security and developmental challenges, will provide a new impetus to the efforts underway to realise the goal of a prosperous, resilient and open BIMSTEC, according to the BIMSTEC Secretariat. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said the summit will further "strengthen and deepen" the relationship between Bangladesh and other BIMSTEC member states and will play an important role in advancing regional peace and development. "It goes without saying that this 6th BIMSTEC Summit is a new step for the new Bangladesh in the regional arena through BIMSTEC," he said, hoping that the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will be successful. The foreign secretary participated in the 25th BIMSTEC senior officials’ meeting on April 2. There is a possibility of signing an agreement on ‘Maritime Transport cooperation’ between BIMSTEC member states at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, said the foreign secretary. Dr Yunus' remarks on Northeast India made with good intentions: High Representative  

Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has been facing prolonged financial losses on multiple routes, primarily due to inadequate feasibility studies and political interference in route selection. According to sources within Biman, the state-owned airline is experiencing financial losses on six routes: Narita, Manchester, Delhi, Kuwait City, Kolkata, and Guangzhou. The Narita route alone incurs an average monthly loss of Tk 20 crore. Among the loss-making routes, they said, the worst affected are the Narita (Japan) and Manchester (UK) flights. Biman authorities have said that a shortage of passengers has forced them to reduce the frequency of flights on these routes, with efforts underway to ensure profitability in the Middle East. Six Loss-Making Routes Identified Allegations suggest that the airline launched three weekly flights on the route without conducting a proper feasibility study. To curb losses, the frequency was reduced to two flights per week from October. Biman has also been sustaining losses on its Kolkata and Delhi routes. Following recent political shifts in Bangladesh, India has restricted visa issuance, causing a severe decline in passenger numbers. As a result, weekly flights on the Dhaka-Kolkata route have been cut from 14 to seven, while the Dhaka-Delhi route has seen a reduction from seven to three flights per week. A major factor contributing to Biman’s losses is operating flights with nearly half the seats unoccupied. The airline recently appointed a new Managing Director, Md Safiqul Rahman, in an attempt to mitigate financial setbacks. Profits in Ground Handling Services Despite losses on several routes, Biman has remained profitable through its ground handling operations. To enhance this segment, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport recently acquired some advanced pieces of equipment, including seven air-conditioning units, two air start units, and nine belt loaders. Losses on Narita and Manchester Routes Biman launched its Narita flights with great fanfare, establishing direct connectivity between Dhaka and Japan on 1 September 2023. But within the first eight months, the airline accumulated losses exceeding Tk 166 crore on this route. This decision has been criticised, as a similar service was discontinued in 2006 due to continued financial losses. Despite that history, the route was revived 17 years later, reportedly for political reasons, without a thorough commercial assessment. Biman a frain, loss-making organisation for years: Wahiduddin Mahmud The Manchester route is also unprofitable, with each Dhaka-Manchester-Dhaka flight averaging a loss of Tk 1.10 crore. To counter this, Biman reduced one flight per week from October and introduced a 30% fare discount to attract passengers. Temporary Suspension of Manchester Flights In a recent announcement, Biman stated that to ensure the smooth operation of Hajj flights and due to aircraft shortages, flights on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route will be temporarily suspended from 1 May 2025 to 10 July 2025. Regular operations on this route are scheduled to resume on 11 July 2025. Efforts to Boost Middle Eastern Routes The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has reported that four Middle Eastern routes—Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, and Muscat—have turned profitable, partly due to additional baggage allowances for passengers. Other profitable routes include London, Toronto, Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. Biman is also expanding its network, with new international destinations including Malé, Kunming, Sydney, Jakarta, Seoul, Wuhan, and Bahrain. Biman's capability in ground handling at ‘Third Terminal’ under scrutiny Efforts are also going on to relaunch flights to New York. To enhance profitability, the airline is focusing on increasing revenue per passenger, reducing operational costs, and improving adherence to flight schedules. Increased Demand for Toronto Route Due to rising passenger demand, Biman has increased its flights on the Dhaka-Toronto route. Since 31 October 2024, the airline has been operating three weekly flights—on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays—with the newly added Thursday flight catering to growing demand. Adjustments to European Routes According to Biman’s General Manager for Public Relations, Bosra Islam, flight frequency reductions on some routes are not solely due to low passenger numbers but also other operational factors. She added that once India resumes issuing visas at normal rates, demand for flights to Kolkata and Delhi is expected to recover, leading to potential flight increases. Meanwhile, Biman’s Director of Marketing and Sales, Ashraful Alam, has confirmed that, from 28 March 2025, an additional flight will be introduced on the London route, increasing the total to five per week. Similarly, the Rome route will see an increase from two to three weekly flights. Need for Strategic Partnerships and Skilled Workforce Aviation expert and former Biman board member Kazi Wahidul Alam has emphasised the importance of forming inter-partner airline links to expand the airline’s network and increase passenger flow. He noted that Narita-bound passengers should have seamless connectivity to other international destinations, which would improve ticket sales and profitability. Alam stressed that merely opening new routes is not enough; targeted marketing and skilled personnel are required to attract more passengers. He highlighted that private airlines are outperforming Biman in many aspects due to superior ticketing and marketing strategies. “If other airlines are making profits on these routes, why can’t Biman?” he questioned, urging the airline to enhance its efficiency and competitiveness. Work underway to enhance Biman's GSE fleet with modern equipment Current Fleet and Operations Biman currently operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, serving 23 international destinations. While some routes continue to struggle, others show promise, with strategic expansions and operational improvements aimed at securing the airline’s long-term profitability.

A Dubai-bound Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight made an emergency landing at India’s Nagpur airport on Wednesday night due to a technical issue. The aircraft, BG-347, carrying 395 passengers and 12 crew members, landed safely at 10:45 pm (BST) following the glitch, Biman Bangladesh Airlines said in a media release on Thursday. Passengers were provided with necessary support, including accommodation, the release added. The national flag carrier had departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Dubai at 8:53 pm (BST) on Wednesday. Dense Fog in Dhaka: 6 international flights diverted to Sylhet, Kolkata  A replacement Boeing 777 aircraft was dispatched to Nagpur on Thursday morning, reaching at 12:39 (BST) pm, before departing for Dubai with the stranded passengers. Meanwhile, an Indian media outlet reported that this was the third instance of an unscheduled landing involving Biman.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday termed Biman Bangladesh Airlines a frail organisation which incurred losses year after year. “That (incurring loss) should not be, other airliners make profits, why Biman is under this deplorable condition,” he asked. The adviser was speaking at the press briefing on the recently submitted report of a task-force to develop strategies to boost the economy and mobilise resources for equitable and sustainable development at the NEC conference room in the planning ministry. He said that the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus asked to find a way to make Biman a profitable organisation. “He asked to make Biman a modern and commercially profitable organisation if we want to show something within this short period of time,” he said. But here we have a more beautiful proposal in the report of the task-force. The report stated that For over half a century, Bangladesh Biman, the national airline, has failed to meet modern aviation standards and performance benchmarks. Its continued existence has largely depended on serving a captive market of migrant labourers, many of whom have reported poor service and inadequate services. Biman renews IOSA registration To ensure that Biman becomes a competitive player in the airline industry, the report proposed that the government must establish clear and measurable performance targets. “Should Biman consistently fall short, we propose creating an entirely new airline-tentatively named Bangladesh Airways-utilising half of Biman's existing assets, but managed by an independent, world-class management company.” This dual-structure approach allows both airlines to target distinct markets and routes and foster healthy competition. If either airline fails to meet performance standards over a designated period, it must be permitted to exit the market, ensuring accountability and efficient service for travellers, the report said. The adviser also ridiculed the concept to make a Air Force man as the chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Biman's capability in ground handling at ‘Third Terminal’ under scrutiny “This is a wrong concept, but Biman is a commercial entity, Biman is an industry, this is not anything related with flying fighter jet, this a specialised business,” he said. Defending the proposal to hire a foreign national as the managing director of the airliner, he said that there is not much people in the country. “That why it is stated that managing director would be hired from foreign country,” he added. He admitted that the vested quarter would not allow the government to do that, that’s why the proposal has been given to divide it and hire the foreign managing director. “After that we will find who has what weakness,” he said adding the proposal is a very good one.

Advance seat booking and ticket blocking at Biman Bangladesh Airlines are now at zero, said the national carrier’s Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Md. Safiqur Rahman. He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with the Executive Committee of the Aviation and Tourism Journalist Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at Biman’s Balaka office on Wednesday. Regarding reports over ticket hoarding for destinations like Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, the Biman MD said there is currently no advance seat booking or ticket blocking. Biman receives another threat from unknown Whatsapp number: Authorities He personally monitors the issue to prevent fraudulent practices. "There were complaints in the past  and those responsible were reassigned to other departments," he added. On baggage management at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), he said efforts are ongoing to improve handling despite some infrastructural limitations. He expressed optimism that baggage services would improve further with the opening of the airport’s third terminal. To ensure transparency, airline staff now wear body cameras while handling baggage, and 150 additional surveillance cameras have been installed, he added. Regarding Biman’s preparations for Hajj flights, the CEO said the existing fleet is sufficient for scheduled operations. However, during the Hajj season, flights on a few routes will be reduced to allocate aircraft for pilgrims. Biman bomb threat came from Pakistani number: DMP He assured that Biman is committed to facilitating a smooth Hajj journey. Efforts are also underway to minimise flight delays and enhance customer service, making Biman more passenger-friendly, he added. During the courtesy meeting, ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar delivered a welcome speech and suggested necessary measures to make Biman even more passenger-friendly. ATJFB Executive Committee members, including General Secretary Baten Bipul, Joint Secretary Md. Shafiullah Suman, Finance Secretary Mahfuz Kamal Babu, and other officials, attended the meeting. Biman's General Manager of Public Relations, Bosra Islam was also present.

The UK NRB Society, comprising Non-Resident Bangladeshis, has voiced concerns over the potential suspension of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ Sylhet-Manchester flights, warning that any disruptions would be unacceptable to UK expatriates.The Society's leaders emphasised the importance of uninterrupted services on the Sylhet-Manchester route. US-Bangla Airlines to start flights to JeddahThey said that they would not tolerate further delays or issues with the flights, and, if necessary, Sylheti expatriates in the UK would unite to stop remittances as a form of protest, at a press conference in Sylhet.M Ahmed Junaid, director of the UK NRB Society, outlined the significance of the flight, which resumed in 2020 after a hiatus. The route serves approximately 300,000 Sylheti expatriates in cities like Manchester, Luton, and Birmingham, as well as Wales and Scotland. It provides essential connectivity, allowing passengers to reach Sylhet Osmani International Airport within 10 hours, offering vital benefits for elderly and child travellers. Biman receives another threat from unknown Whatsapp number: AuthoritiesHowever, Junaid raised concerns over the sudden suspension of the online ticketing system two months ago. Biman Bangladesh Airlines cited the route's unprofitability as the reason.This decision sparked protests from Sylheti expatriates in the north of England, leading to a memorandum submission to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission and Biman officials. They also visited Bangladesh earlier this year to meet with the airline's management to demand the flight's continuation.In a recent development, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, former mayor of Sylhet City Corporation, spoke with Biman’s Chairman, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, who assured that the flights would continue. However, the failure to resume the online ticketing system has led to doubts among expatriates.Currently, there are two weekly flights on the route, but concerns have arisen that Biman may suspend these during the Hajj season. The UK NRB Society has called for at least one flight to continue for Hajj pilgrims, with the other remaining operational for the Manchester route. The Society warned that canceling both flights would cause significant hardship for expatriates returning to Sylhet during Eid-ul-Azha.The Society also pointed out that the route is not unprofitable, but due to middlemen, passengers often face inflated ticket prices. They urged Biman to investigate and resolve this issue. If delays persist, they warned of a potential remittance boycott as a form of protest. Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal on track for completion this Oct, flights expected from early 2025The UK NRB Society urged the interim government to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of the Sylhet-Manchester flight service.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has reportedly received another potential threat from an unknown Whatsapp number, said the authorities  on Thursday morning. The threat comes a day after the national flag carrier received a bomb threat on Whatsapp at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka on Wednesday. “We have received another potential threat in Armed Police Battalion Police (APBN) duty officer number from an unknown whatsapp number,” Group Captain Kamrul Islam, executive director of the Airport, informed the media in a message in the morning. Biman bomb threat came from Pakistani number: DMP As per protocol, they are working in coordination with all agencies and tightened security, reads the message. All operations at the HSIA are running normal, it said, “We request for no panic or additional news.” Work underway to enhance Biman's GSE fleet with modern equipment The Dhaka Metropolitan Police said that the WhatsApp message claiming that a Dhaka-bound Biman flight from Rome was carrying explosives originated from a Pakistani phone number. The flight landed safely at HSIA on Wednesday. DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Md Talebur Rahman said on Wednesday night that while the WhatsApp number was from Pakistan, they could not confirm the location from where the message was actually sent.

Concerns are growing among airlines and passengers over Biman Bangladesh Airlines' ground handling services, with experts questioning its ability to manage operations at the new third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Biman Bangladesh Airlines claims to be offering international standard ground handling services, not only for its own flights but also for approximately 35 other domestic and international airlines. But, experts have raised doubts about its ability to handle operations at the new third terminal. What is Ground Handling? Ground handling refers to a range of services provided to aircraft and passengers at airports, including the issuing of boarding passes, baggage handling, cargo loading and unloading and general aircraft servicing. Jatiya Nagorik Committee reorganised to expand activities Since 1972, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been the sole provider of ground handling services at all airports in the country. In addition to its own flights, Biman provides ground handling services to a variety of foreign and local carriers. Biman to Take Over Third Terminal Ground Handling Biman Bangladesh Airlines was recently informed that it would be responsible for managing ground handling services at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for the next two years. This decision was communicated through a letter issued by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority under the Office of the Chief Adviser. According to the letter, Biman will handle ground services at the third terminal for the next two years. If Biman fails to meet expectations within this period, the airline may have to share the responsibility with a renowned international company. AKDN's resident representative discusses education and climate change initiatives with Foreign Adviser Complaints from Foreign Airlines Foreign airlines have raised several complaints about Biman’s ground handling services. It is the responsibility of ground handlers to provide adequate staffing for check-in counters, baggage services, cargo handling, and other related tasks at the airport. But, Biman faces difficulties providing enough staff due to a shortage of workers. As a result, several foreign airlines have been forced to hire their own ground handling staff at additional cost. For example, Air Arabia has recruited over 30 staff members at the airport, while Indigo and Singapore Airlines have hired 25 and 60 personnel, respectively. In recent hearings by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), several foreign airlines have accused Biman of failing to deliver timely ground handling services despite collecting charges. Delays in baggage delivery have resulted in flight delays, while passengers have expressed frustration with delayed baggage handling, tarnishing the reputation of various airlines. Passenger Complaints There are frequent reports from passengers regarding poor treatment, delayed baggage and incidents of theft at the hands of ground handling staff. One such case this year involved a passenger flying to Chennai, whose bag was found to be missing €6,800 (approximately Tk 910,000). TIB emphasises going beyond the rule of law to prevent corruption Biman authorities arrested five people in connection with the theft. A passenger from Saudi Arabia also voiced concerns, stating that receiving baggage at Dhaka airport often feels like "finding a golden deer." He expressed concerns about the possibility of items being stolen or damaged in transit. While his baggage was intact on this occasion, it still took a long time to be returned. Expert Opinions Aviation expert Wing Commander ATM Nazrul Islam also expressed concerns about Biman’s ability to handle ground services at the new terminal. While he acknowledged that Biman may have the necessary equipment, he pointed out that the airline lacks sufficient manpower. Nazrul Islam said that Biman is already struggling to manage the operations of Terminals 1 and 2, and questioned whether it could manage an entire terminal alone. He stressed that while the airline may be capable of meeting the technical requirements for ground handling, the public perception of Biman's service quality remains poor. As Biman takes over the third terminal, experts are keenly watching to see how it handles the challenges and whether it can meet international standards. Fellow expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said that in most airports around the world, ground handling is not the responsibility of a single organisation. Dr Yunus urges India to clear recent "clouds" over bilateral relations In Bangladesh, Biman monopolises ground handling across all airports. He also expressed doubts about whether Biman could properly manage ground services at the new terminal. Mofizur Rahman, Secretary General of the Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh and Managing Director of Novoair, suggested that the monopoly on ground handling should be broken. He advocated for opening up ground handling services to multiple companies via a competitive tendering process, which could ultimately benefit both the country and the industry. Government Response In response to these concerns, Hassan Arif, an advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, stated that Biman is in the process of acquiring new equipment to improve its ground handling capabilities. He reassured that Biman’s performance would be closely monitored during the two-year trial period. If the airline’s performance falls short, alternative arrangements will be made. Arif also emphasised the importance of ensuring that ground handling services meet international standards. Adequate training for staff and the resolution of manpower shortages would be priorities in the coming months. Regarding the timeline for the third terminal's opening, Arif stated that construction is in the final stages, and the terminal is expected to be operational within a year. In a similar vein, Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), assured that efforts are underway to ensure that the new terminal’s services meet modern standards. He also stressed that international quality in ground handling would be prioritised, ensuring that complaints from airlines and passengers are kept to a minimum. As Biman takes on the responsibility of managing ground handling services at the third terminal, all eyes will be on the airline’s ability to address existing shortcomings and deliver on its promises of international standard services.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has released revised notification for recruitment of manpower. This organization will employ 525 people in 3 category posts. Interested candidates should apply online. 1. Post Name: Ground Service Assistant No. of Posts: 380 Eligibility: Bachelor's degree with 2.8 on CGPA-4 scale 3.0 on GPA-5 scale in each of SSC and HSC examination or 2.8 on GPA-4 scale for Diploma degree holders. A minimum of 'D' average in any five subjects at 'O' level and minimum 'D' average in any two subjects at 'A' level. Must have computer knowledge. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word. Must be proficient in speaking English. Uttara High School and College Center who were scheduled for examination under recruitment circular dated 17th April 2023 need not apply afresh. They can participate in the exam in the previous application. Age: Below 32 years as on 12 April 2024 Type of Job: Initially three years contractual. Will be permanently assimilated from the date of joining after satisfactory completion of three years contractual service. Read: Job Circular: Land Ministry to recruit 278 deputy assistant settlement officers Pay Scale: 12,500-30,230 Tk. 2. Post Name: Commercial Assistant No. of Posts: 100 Eligibility: Bachelor's degree with 2.8 on CGPA-4 scale. 3.0 on GPA-5 scale each in SSC and HSC examination or 2.8 on GPA-4 scale for Diploma holders A minimum of 'D' average in any five subjects at 'O' level and minimum 'D' average in any two subjects at 'A' level. Must have computer knowledge. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word. Must be proficient in speaking English. Age: Below 32 years as on 12 April 2024 Type of Job: Initially three years contractual. Will be permanently assimilated from the date of joining after satisfactory completion of three years contractual service. Pay Scale: 12,500-30,230 Tk. 3. Post Name: Accounts Assistant No. of Posts: 45 Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree in Commerce Faculty with 2.8 on CGPA-4 scale. 3.0 on GPA-5 scale in each of SSC and HSC examination or 2.8 on GPA-4 scale for Diploma degree holders. A minimum of 'D' average in any five subjects at 'O' level and minimum 'D' average in any two subjects at 'A' level. Must have computer knowledge. Age: Below 32 years as on 12 April 2024 Type of Job: Initially three years contractual. Permanent assimilation will be made from the date of joining after satisfactory completion of three years contractual service. Pay Scale: 12,500-30,230 Tk. How to apply Interested candidates should apply by filling the form on this website. Detailed information regarding recruitment can be known in this link https://biman.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/biman-airlines.portal.gov.bd/notices/bff705be_23c5_440a_95ee_9a8bd0c57240/2024-12-03-04-01-a4b882b024edb054e2fa1e79f0e865c0.pdf  . If there is any problem in applying online, call 121 from teletalk number or email at vas.query@teletalk.com.bd. Application fee 335 Tk for each post towards examination fee through SMS from Teletalk prepaid mobile number within 72 hours of online form filling. Application Deadline: 4 to 18 December 2024, up to 5 PM.

Captain Tasmin Doza has made history as the first female director at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, following her appointment as the Director of Flight Operations. The airline's General Manager of Public Relations, Bosra Islam, confirmed the news to UNB, noting that her appointment took effect on Monday. New Biman CEO vows to crack down on corruption Captain Tasmin's journey with Biman began in 1993 when she joined as a cadet pilot. In 1996, she was promoted to First Officer on advanced turboprop aircraft. Between 2004 and 2009, she served as the Base Training and Line Check Captain for the Fokker F-28 aircraft. She later became a check pilot for Biman's Boeing 737 fleet from 2014 to 2019. In addition to her extensive flying experience, Captain Tasmin has held significant leadership roles. She has served as the Team Leader of Flight Data Monitoring and as a Flight Operations Inspector for the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Most recently, she was the Chief of Training in Biman's Flight Operations Department.