Hajj flight: Biman lives up to its calling
Friday, 12 November 2010
Muhammad Zakiul Islam
With fears in other people's mind, we launched the pre-Hajj phase in the wee hours on October 9, 2010. With tears in our eyes, we have completed the phase on November 10. All men and women of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are rightly entitled to their tears of gratitude and gratefulness to Providence.
There had been moments of high hopes, and there had been times of great despair. At one stage, even the most significant and momentous Inaugural Flight seemed to be at jeopardy in the last hours. Thankfully, the crisis was resolved through a very high-level patronage.
The National Flag carrier had transported a total of 44,592 Hajjis, hitherto the largest number in its history in just thirty-two days. This is just short by 408 of the total of 45,000 that Biman was tasked to carry. And that is about 1,400 pilgrims per day. This was in addition to the normal flight schedules of Biman. And the whole operation was smooth and flawless, as commented upon by the observers. We had operated 128 flights for transportation of the Hajjis. Mass transportation of such a large group of passengers within such a limited time needed well-coordinated efforts and attention to minute details from planning to administration, and from marketing to flight dispatch.
Admittedly, the cruising had not been normal and eventless! The Airline was hit by an unprecedented development which none of us ever expected. But it did. The reasons were uncalled for and the timing of it was most improper and unpropitious. Thank goodness, it was quickly contained.
Biman was never "Grounded". Even through the tumult, we remained airborne, although had to cancel some flights and yet some had to be rescheduled. Our valued passengers suffered and endured, but collectively we strived and prevailed.
Something more significant had happened in course of the last one month. We have introduced the Internet Booking Engine and have launched the On-Line Booking System from the first day of this month. This was a dream come true. Now, our valued customers can plan their travel, make their reservation and even indicate their choice of menu. This was a "Soft Launch" of the System. The System would be fully interactive from January 4, 2011, Biman's 39th Birthday, when our customers will be able to make payment on the Internet through Credit Card.
Our IBE has also come with a new look and a new Website: www.biman-airlines.com. I would invite all our friends and patrons to visit the Site and grace us with their valuable suggestions for improvement.
Steps have also been taken for strengthening and improving the fleet. We have signed Agreement for ACMI Lease of two B777-200 aircraft to augment the fleet size, improved dispatch reliability and on-time departure. These new-generation, fuel efficient aircraft are expected to join our fleet by December. Negotiation and preparations are also at the final stage for concluding another Agreement for a B777-200ER, induction of which would enhance our long-range capability through added capacity and additional Seat-Kilometre.
The Ground Handling Capability has undergone discernible change with induction of additional manpower and equipment, although a well-orchestrated vilification campaign is visible to take away this profit making enterprise from Biman. There is still much to be done in the Cargo Complex in terms of infrastructure, safety and security-both for Import and Export. But it is intriguing to note that even raw materials and ingredients imported for pharmaceutical usage are pilfered, and such theft are conducted by well-informed thieves, with some help from inside the airport. Conspiracy theory has it that such kleptomacy is undertaken for double whammy: To avoid NBR and to lay claim on the Handling Agency. There ought to be willing and obliging buyers for these non-conventional merchandise, who procure these from the unscrupulous and unknown sources and mill them through the production system.
The pre-Hajj phase is over but there is no room for complacency. Only half the job has been accomplished. In fact, the post-Hajj phase is more challenging as some of the ground conditions are beyond the control of Biman. But we shall make all endeavours and deploy our best efforts for ensuring smooth return of the pilgrims back home.
The reason that I am sharing these events, even some of the minor and insignificant ones, is that we have had suffered setbacks in the recent days. We are also conscious of the fact that despite all the shortcomings, Biman occupies a special and central place in the minds and hearts of the millions of Bangladeshis at home and abroad. They wish us clear skies and happy cruising.
At Biman, we are committed to take this airline to higher heights and farther distance, to thousands of metres and through millions of seat-kilometres. "Triumph" and "Disasters" are two impostors-so said the Indian born English poet, Rudyard Kipling. We had to face both the "impostors" to some degrees in the recent times. But together, we shall overcome the later with the former. Welcome aboard-Your Home in the Sky.
Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam, ndu acsc, is the MD & CEO of Biman. He can be reached at e-mail: mzaki_islam@yahoo.com
With fears in other people's mind, we launched the pre-Hajj phase in the wee hours on October 9, 2010. With tears in our eyes, we have completed the phase on November 10. All men and women of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are rightly entitled to their tears of gratitude and gratefulness to Providence.
There had been moments of high hopes, and there had been times of great despair. At one stage, even the most significant and momentous Inaugural Flight seemed to be at jeopardy in the last hours. Thankfully, the crisis was resolved through a very high-level patronage.
The National Flag carrier had transported a total of 44,592 Hajjis, hitherto the largest number in its history in just thirty-two days. This is just short by 408 of the total of 45,000 that Biman was tasked to carry. And that is about 1,400 pilgrims per day. This was in addition to the normal flight schedules of Biman. And the whole operation was smooth and flawless, as commented upon by the observers. We had operated 128 flights for transportation of the Hajjis. Mass transportation of such a large group of passengers within such a limited time needed well-coordinated efforts and attention to minute details from planning to administration, and from marketing to flight dispatch.
Admittedly, the cruising had not been normal and eventless! The Airline was hit by an unprecedented development which none of us ever expected. But it did. The reasons were uncalled for and the timing of it was most improper and unpropitious. Thank goodness, it was quickly contained.
Biman was never "Grounded". Even through the tumult, we remained airborne, although had to cancel some flights and yet some had to be rescheduled. Our valued passengers suffered and endured, but collectively we strived and prevailed.
Something more significant had happened in course of the last one month. We have introduced the Internet Booking Engine and have launched the On-Line Booking System from the first day of this month. This was a dream come true. Now, our valued customers can plan their travel, make their reservation and even indicate their choice of menu. This was a "Soft Launch" of the System. The System would be fully interactive from January 4, 2011, Biman's 39th Birthday, when our customers will be able to make payment on the Internet through Credit Card.
Our IBE has also come with a new look and a new Website: www.biman-airlines.com. I would invite all our friends and patrons to visit the Site and grace us with their valuable suggestions for improvement.
Steps have also been taken for strengthening and improving the fleet. We have signed Agreement for ACMI Lease of two B777-200 aircraft to augment the fleet size, improved dispatch reliability and on-time departure. These new-generation, fuel efficient aircraft are expected to join our fleet by December. Negotiation and preparations are also at the final stage for concluding another Agreement for a B777-200ER, induction of which would enhance our long-range capability through added capacity and additional Seat-Kilometre.
The Ground Handling Capability has undergone discernible change with induction of additional manpower and equipment, although a well-orchestrated vilification campaign is visible to take away this profit making enterprise from Biman. There is still much to be done in the Cargo Complex in terms of infrastructure, safety and security-both for Import and Export. But it is intriguing to note that even raw materials and ingredients imported for pharmaceutical usage are pilfered, and such theft are conducted by well-informed thieves, with some help from inside the airport. Conspiracy theory has it that such kleptomacy is undertaken for double whammy: To avoid NBR and to lay claim on the Handling Agency. There ought to be willing and obliging buyers for these non-conventional merchandise, who procure these from the unscrupulous and unknown sources and mill them through the production system.
The pre-Hajj phase is over but there is no room for complacency. Only half the job has been accomplished. In fact, the post-Hajj phase is more challenging as some of the ground conditions are beyond the control of Biman. But we shall make all endeavours and deploy our best efforts for ensuring smooth return of the pilgrims back home.
The reason that I am sharing these events, even some of the minor and insignificant ones, is that we have had suffered setbacks in the recent days. We are also conscious of the fact that despite all the shortcomings, Biman occupies a special and central place in the minds and hearts of the millions of Bangladeshis at home and abroad. They wish us clear skies and happy cruising.
At Biman, we are committed to take this airline to higher heights and farther distance, to thousands of metres and through millions of seat-kilometres. "Triumph" and "Disasters" are two impostors-so said the Indian born English poet, Rudyard Kipling. We had to face both the "impostors" to some degrees in the recent times. But together, we shall overcome the later with the former. Welcome aboard-Your Home in the Sky.
Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam, ndu acsc, is the MD & CEO of Biman. He can be reached at e-mail: mzaki_islam@yahoo.com