Foreign airlines make best of Biman's weakness
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Mashiur Rahaman
Procurement of three Boeing 777 aircraft on lease for state-run Biman is yet at the 'offer evaluation stage' giving room to foreign airliners to double their flight frequencies.
Aviation industry insiders however blame bureaucratic red-tapism behind Biman's loss of market share.
"For the last 10 months Biman is deliberating on the means of procurement and type of aircraft, which is delaying the arrival of its much needed aircraft," a top Biman official told the FE Friday.
Captain AM Maqsood Ahmed, a former member of Biman's fleet plan evaluation committee, said the national flag carrier is forced to shrink its destinations for the shortage of aircraft. While international airliners were doubling their flights taking advantage of Biman's weakness, he added.
Biman has cut off operations to seven destinations and reduced frequencies to several other destinations.
Whereas, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has doubled weekly flights from seven to 17 per week within a year.
Similar increase was also noticed in the operations of Etihad, Qatar Airlines, Air Arabia and other foreign airlines, flight operation record of Zia International Airport revealed.
This is obvious; Mr Ahmed said adding, "When we can't even agree on the modalities of procurement of much needed aircraft for about a year, they cannot miss the opportunity."
When asked if it was a 'sabotage' hatched by foreign carriers against Biman, he said "It is likely, as our indecision provoked them."
Another senior Biman official told the FE requesting anonymity, "Biman decided to take lease of fuel efficient Boeing 777 aircraft and floated tender at the end of 2008 through Direct Offer (DO).
The DO was opposed by a bureaucrat in the board of directors on June 8 this year and decided to float a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the same.
But when the board almost finalised the procurement process, it was another bureaucrat who objected the RFP process itself and demanded re-tender, it was learned.
When contacted Hedayetullah Al Mamun, Civil Aviation Secretary, who objected the RFP told the FE, the entire bidding process was confusing and termed it unwise.
If the fleet plan committee determines the Boeing 777-200ER category best to serve Biman's purpose, then they need to issue re-tender specifying aircraft category, he said.
This is foolish, a board member said while commenting on Mr Hedayetullah's claim and added, "What made him realise this fact at the very last moment?"
"He was in the board when the tender was floated on June 11 and attended a number of board meetings afterwards. Why has he failed to notice that at the beginning?" he added.
If a member challenges the board's decision based on unverified claims its exposes the weakness of the board, said Captain SM Helal president of Airlines Pilots' Association.
This was the most suitable time for Biman to lease aircraft as aircraft prices are comparatively lower now as a result of global recession. If the Biman board fails this time too, they might not find any suitable offer afterwards, as the world aviation market would soon recover from the effects of recession.
On behalf the association Mr Helal demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's interference in what he termed 'the moment of crisis for Biman' at a press conference at BAPAoffice on Saturday.
Procurement of three Boeing 777 aircraft on lease for state-run Biman is yet at the 'offer evaluation stage' giving room to foreign airliners to double their flight frequencies.
Aviation industry insiders however blame bureaucratic red-tapism behind Biman's loss of market share.
"For the last 10 months Biman is deliberating on the means of procurement and type of aircraft, which is delaying the arrival of its much needed aircraft," a top Biman official told the FE Friday.
Captain AM Maqsood Ahmed, a former member of Biman's fleet plan evaluation committee, said the national flag carrier is forced to shrink its destinations for the shortage of aircraft. While international airliners were doubling their flights taking advantage of Biman's weakness, he added.
Biman has cut off operations to seven destinations and reduced frequencies to several other destinations.
Whereas, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has doubled weekly flights from seven to 17 per week within a year.
Similar increase was also noticed in the operations of Etihad, Qatar Airlines, Air Arabia and other foreign airlines, flight operation record of Zia International Airport revealed.
This is obvious; Mr Ahmed said adding, "When we can't even agree on the modalities of procurement of much needed aircraft for about a year, they cannot miss the opportunity."
When asked if it was a 'sabotage' hatched by foreign carriers against Biman, he said "It is likely, as our indecision provoked them."
Another senior Biman official told the FE requesting anonymity, "Biman decided to take lease of fuel efficient Boeing 777 aircraft and floated tender at the end of 2008 through Direct Offer (DO).
The DO was opposed by a bureaucrat in the board of directors on June 8 this year and decided to float a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the same.
But when the board almost finalised the procurement process, it was another bureaucrat who objected the RFP process itself and demanded re-tender, it was learned.
When contacted Hedayetullah Al Mamun, Civil Aviation Secretary, who objected the RFP told the FE, the entire bidding process was confusing and termed it unwise.
If the fleet plan committee determines the Boeing 777-200ER category best to serve Biman's purpose, then they need to issue re-tender specifying aircraft category, he said.
This is foolish, a board member said while commenting on Mr Hedayetullah's claim and added, "What made him realise this fact at the very last moment?"
"He was in the board when the tender was floated on June 11 and attended a number of board meetings afterwards. Why has he failed to notice that at the beginning?" he added.
If a member challenges the board's decision based on unverified claims its exposes the weakness of the board, said Captain SM Helal president of Airlines Pilots' Association.
This was the most suitable time for Biman to lease aircraft as aircraft prices are comparatively lower now as a result of global recession. If the Biman board fails this time too, they might not find any suitable offer afterwards, as the world aviation market would soon recover from the effects of recession.
On behalf the association Mr Helal demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's interference in what he termed 'the moment of crisis for Biman' at a press conference at BAPAoffice on Saturday.