Are you happy with Biman's performance?
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Abdullah Mohibuddin
Last month, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a new logo and livery of Biman-Bangladesh Airlines Limited.
She cut the logo embedded cake and got onboard the leased aircraft -- B777-200 ER and B737-800.
In her speech the Prime Minister called for stern action against corruption and irregularities in Biman. She asked Biman officials to start Dhaka-New York flight and also introduce e-ticketing as this would help stop the irregularities involving ticket booking.
Biman management promised her that New York flights would be resumed in March, 2010. But we are yet to see any sign of it. If any one visits Biman's website, he/she will find nothing about online ticketing, but a bunch of useless information. Biman management will always have an answer : "we are trying our best".
The delay in arrival of Biman's 2nd leased B777-200 ER aircraft is a big question. What is the reason for this delay, we do not know. But we can assume now that Euro Atlantic has failed to supply the 2nd aircraft. If so, then why does not Biman cancel the contract for 2nd aircraft and start looking for another source? The aircraft is readily available in the market. Biman's present CEO said last October that Biman will start flying to New York on 24th November, 2009. But we might wait for another November to see the operation of the flight.
Perhaps, both the CEO, and Director of Marketing & Sales have no time to look into the website. These days new technology is a blessing to mankind. e-ticketing is not the new technology in the market, but Biman still has not introduced that.
Now a days, not only are we able to buy Air tickets through airline websites, but we can also book hotel accommodation and other facilities through partner sites. Biman does not know that by introducing e-ticketing through website, not only are the passengers but Biman itself will be benefitted. Many hotels and tour operators will establish link with Biman as customers by which Biman can earn money. We can earn money and at the same time save hassle. That is why, the Prime Minister has given more importance to "Digital Bangladesh". This will generate more money than that of government revenue from tax and exports.
If Biman's IT department has no knowledge about it, they can go to airlines like Air Asia and Air Arabia. They will be able to guide Biman's officials and train them.
Now you can not only buy air tickets, but you can see the departure and arrival times of various flights as well.
Websites are updated on a real time basis now and some airlines even offer boarding cards through their website so passengers can go straight to the Airport immigration counter. It is obvious that the automation of the ticketing process will save Biman on human resources expenses and efficient tracking system to prevent misuse.
The Prime Minister has told the present Biman management what is needed for Biman to improve. She outlined all important areas in brief They are: i) passenger handling on ground and in air, ii) introduction of Internet ticket booking, iii) on-time service. That is the availability of the aircraft, iv) old aircraft either converted to carry cargo or used for Hajj & chartered operations, V) curb corruption in the organisation.
But the present Biman management has not yet formed a committee to look into the corruption in the past as the Prime Minister has stated that the past government was mostly liable for the mishandling the organisation.
With the adding of two leased B737-800 aircraft, Biman is still limping. Biman's market share is less than 11% currently. Emirates has taken the maximum share in our market. So Biman management has received guidelines from the Prime Minister. They just need to implement. Just changing logo will not enhance the operational capability of an organisation. It is true for Biman that needs to work.
The writer is a former DC10 flight engineer
Last month, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a new logo and livery of Biman-Bangladesh Airlines Limited.
She cut the logo embedded cake and got onboard the leased aircraft -- B777-200 ER and B737-800.
In her speech the Prime Minister called for stern action against corruption and irregularities in Biman. She asked Biman officials to start Dhaka-New York flight and also introduce e-ticketing as this would help stop the irregularities involving ticket booking.
Biman management promised her that New York flights would be resumed in March, 2010. But we are yet to see any sign of it. If any one visits Biman's website, he/she will find nothing about online ticketing, but a bunch of useless information. Biman management will always have an answer : "we are trying our best".
The delay in arrival of Biman's 2nd leased B777-200 ER aircraft is a big question. What is the reason for this delay, we do not know. But we can assume now that Euro Atlantic has failed to supply the 2nd aircraft. If so, then why does not Biman cancel the contract for 2nd aircraft and start looking for another source? The aircraft is readily available in the market. Biman's present CEO said last October that Biman will start flying to New York on 24th November, 2009. But we might wait for another November to see the operation of the flight.
Perhaps, both the CEO, and Director of Marketing & Sales have no time to look into the website. These days new technology is a blessing to mankind. e-ticketing is not the new technology in the market, but Biman still has not introduced that.
Now a days, not only are we able to buy Air tickets through airline websites, but we can also book hotel accommodation and other facilities through partner sites. Biman does not know that by introducing e-ticketing through website, not only are the passengers but Biman itself will be benefitted. Many hotels and tour operators will establish link with Biman as customers by which Biman can earn money. We can earn money and at the same time save hassle. That is why, the Prime Minister has given more importance to "Digital Bangladesh". This will generate more money than that of government revenue from tax and exports.
If Biman's IT department has no knowledge about it, they can go to airlines like Air Asia and Air Arabia. They will be able to guide Biman's officials and train them.
Now you can not only buy air tickets, but you can see the departure and arrival times of various flights as well.
Websites are updated on a real time basis now and some airlines even offer boarding cards through their website so passengers can go straight to the Airport immigration counter. It is obvious that the automation of the ticketing process will save Biman on human resources expenses and efficient tracking system to prevent misuse.
The Prime Minister has told the present Biman management what is needed for Biman to improve. She outlined all important areas in brief They are: i) passenger handling on ground and in air, ii) introduction of Internet ticket booking, iii) on-time service. That is the availability of the aircraft, iv) old aircraft either converted to carry cargo or used for Hajj & chartered operations, V) curb corruption in the organisation.
But the present Biman management has not yet formed a committee to look into the corruption in the past as the Prime Minister has stated that the past government was mostly liable for the mishandling the organisation.
With the adding of two leased B737-800 aircraft, Biman is still limping. Biman's market share is less than 11% currently. Emirates has taken the maximum share in our market. So Biman management has received guidelines from the Prime Minister. They just need to implement. Just changing logo will not enhance the operational capability of an organisation. It is true for Biman that needs to work.
The writer is a former DC10 flight engineer