Biman gets old logo as cabinet backtracks

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Mashiur Rahaman
The state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines is going to take off its newly introduced logo after the cabinet backtracked.
"A letter was issued to Biman Monday, asking the airlines to continue with its old livery," a Biman high official told the FE.
Though the decision is yet to be approved by the Biman board, the order has been unofficially accepted by the authority, the official said requesting anonymity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 3 formally inaugurated Biman's new insignia as a part of moves taken to infuse new life into Biman. Following this, the national flag carrier received four leased aircrafts painted with the new logo.
Biman's managing director and chief executive Muhammad Zakiul Islam acknowledged the news and said the cabinet's order would be placed soon in the board meeting for implementation.
An aviation industry expert said Biman's new livery was designed by reputed American designer Teague and was personally approved by Sheikh Hasina.
Portuguese company Euro Atlantic Airlines, who leased two Boeing 777-200ER aircraft to Biman, supported the new branding and paid for colouring its aircraft with Biman's new logo as per the lease agreement.
But the new logo painting cost for two Boeing 737-800 and one Airbus-310 that Biman took lease from GECAS and ILFC was carried by Biman. Besides, the state airlines spent a huge amount of money for the branding formalities and advertisements, he said.
All these expenditures were made for a new branding that lasted for two months only, while the organisation has been experiencing an acute fund shortage. Moreover, it reveals the fact that the Biman authority has no independent voice, he said expressing disappointment.
Biman's MD however denied the allegation of huge fund wastage for this short-lived livery change, and said Biman has spent only for its signboard and visiting cards changes.
"Despite the backtrack we are still focused on our goal of making Biman a vibrant and efficient organisation," he added.