Biman to get rid of Fokker F-28 aircraft
Friday, 12 March 2010
Mashiur Rahaman
The state-run Biman Bangladesh airlines is going to get rid of its age-old Fokker F-28 aircraft by the end of this year due to its high operation costs and acute crew shortage.
"Operation of Fokker F-28 aircraft has not been included by the authority in the upcoming summer flight schedule," well placed Biman official told the FE.
The national flag carrier now owns three 70-seater twin engine jet airliners that it mostly operated in the domestic routes. Because of its high fuel consumption and frequent technical failure as a result of its age, these F-28 aircraft have become a burden for the national carrier.
Moreover, acute shortage of operating crew has put the final nail into its coffin," the Biman official added.
Biman has only five (one set) F-28 operating crew to fly the three aircraft it owns. Most of these crews converting themselves for Boeing or Airbus operation looking for a comparatively more secured jobs.
"It's not feasible for Biman to operate the short-ranged aircraft, known as gas-guzzler," Biman's Managing Director and CEO Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam told the FE.
Agreeing with the phase-out plan, he claimed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is well-resourced with modern and fuel efficient aircrafts to replace these old-passenger carriers.
"We would sell the F-28s to private airlines who could use them for chartered airlines service or for tourist transportation between short distances," Mr Islam said.
The state-run Biman Bangladesh airlines is going to get rid of its age-old Fokker F-28 aircraft by the end of this year due to its high operation costs and acute crew shortage.
"Operation of Fokker F-28 aircraft has not been included by the authority in the upcoming summer flight schedule," well placed Biman official told the FE.
The national flag carrier now owns three 70-seater twin engine jet airliners that it mostly operated in the domestic routes. Because of its high fuel consumption and frequent technical failure as a result of its age, these F-28 aircraft have become a burden for the national carrier.
Moreover, acute shortage of operating crew has put the final nail into its coffin," the Biman official added.
Biman has only five (one set) F-28 operating crew to fly the three aircraft it owns. Most of these crews converting themselves for Boeing or Airbus operation looking for a comparatively more secured jobs.
"It's not feasible for Biman to operate the short-ranged aircraft, known as gas-guzzler," Biman's Managing Director and CEO Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam told the FE.
Agreeing with the phase-out plan, he claimed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is well-resourced with modern and fuel efficient aircrafts to replace these old-passenger carriers.
"We would sell the F-28s to private airlines who could use them for chartered airlines service or for tourist transportation between short distances," Mr Islam said.