State carrier Biman again could not lease aircraft timely for operating Hajj flights.
Now, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will conduct Hajj operations by disrupting regular passenger flights again this year, according to people familiar with the situation.
Biman has readied the Hajj flight schedule with its own three Boeing 777-300 ER and one 777-300 ER brought from Malaysia on wet lease.
But its own 777-300 ER aircraft are used for operations on the important international routes.
Past experience suggests that the disruption in Biman's regular flights mostly affect the migrant workers destined for the Middle East, Malaysia, and Singapore.
At present, Biman operates on 15 international and seven domestic routes with two Dash-8, four Boeing 737NG, four 777-300 ER (extended range), one 777-300 and one 777-200 ER.
The major source of revenue of Biman is international ticket sale.
International sales make up 65 per cent of the national carrier's revenue.
From Hajj flight operations, Biman earns 15 per cent of its revenue.
Many criticise Biman for its failure of timely lease of aircraft for Hajj flight operations.
There is an allegation of commission business and corruption in the lease process.
Experts said no big aircraft leasing company took part in the bid due to the irregularities in Biman.
The national flag carrier was supposed to bring two Boeing 777-300s under the short-term wet lease from Fly Global of Malaysia in February this year.
Wet lease involves aircraft along with the crew.
Another four 300-seater aircraft were supposed to be brought in July this year under wet lease to support Hajj flight operations for three months.
But Biman authorities declined to comment on the progress of the lease process.
They said they are giving top priority to the Hajj pilgrims and smooth hajj flight operations
Biman officials said only one Boeing 777-300 ER and one 777-200 ER have already been received.
Both are added to the fleet to operate on the regular international routes.
But it has become uncertain to lease another two aircraft from Fly Global by July when the Hajj operation will start, the officials said.
A Biman official confirmed that a team of Biman returned from Egypt two days ago after visiting the aircraft leasing company.
Talking to the FE, Biman spokesperson Shakil Meraj said that Biman would operate Hajj flights with three Boeing 777-ER of its own fleet and one 777-ER brought under wet lease from Malaysia.
Two more aircraft will be procured in July as soon as the Hajj operations start.
Asked which company's aircraft will be brought, he said there is no specific company but the planes must have 300 seats.
The government and private hajj agencies will send 127,198 pilgrims this year.
Of the total, Biman alone will carry 63,599 pilgrims.
Asked, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Faruk Khan told the FE that he was unaware about any kind of dislocation in regular flight operations. Referring to the Biman authorities, he said it will operate Hajj flights with their own aircraft.
There will be no disruption in regular flight operations as they will lease aircraft for smooth functioning.
He said the Biman authorities will be asked in the next JS body meeting if there are any such irregularities.
Mr Shakil said as per the schedule of Biman, it will operate 155 flights.
Of the total flights, some 147 will be operated to Jeddah and eight to Medina.
He said the first pre-Hajj flight will start from July 14 (Saturday) and the last pre-hajj flight will be on August 15 (Wednesday).
The post-Hajj flight will start from August 27 (Monday) and the last one on September 25 (Tuesday), Mr Meraj added.
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