Is Biman's SIDR cyclone over!
Friday, 21 March 2008
Abdullah Mohibuddin
I woke up in the morning and regularly read newspaper. When I read something good about Biman, I feel good and the whole day I enjoy myself. That happened to me when Dr. M.A. Momen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Biman- Bangladesh Airlines Ltd informed the media that Biman which was facing a near bankruptcy in 2006, "now has cash reserves of Taka. 5.10 billion (510 crore)". Biman's financial strength could have been better, had the airlines procured one or two wide-bodied aircraft.
In another day, I read the news about the signing of Air Services Agreement with India. I was not happy on that day. The private airlines in Bangladesh think that they are happy about the outcome. But unfortunately, in the long run, Air India, Indian Airlines and Jet Air will be benefited as because it is the Bangladeshi passengers who will go through India to the Middle East and other destination. Just see how many of total 32,000 passengers that had travelled to Kolkata and how many of the total -- 10,000 passengers -- that had travelled to Delhi/ Mumby. Yes, it does not matter to Biman.
Biman's present Board of Directors has rightfully made the decision of buying eight new Boeing aircraft. Biman has made a choice of the aircraft -- B777-300 ER and B787-8. These are fuel efficient aircraft. With the induction of these aircraft, Biman will make profit even on Dhaka- New York-Dhaka route.
As soon as this piece of news came out all employee of Biman got the boost-up. They even went to the press to express their gratitude to Biman Board.
Biman is the unofficial Ambassador of Bangladesh. I have seen the feelings of the passengers about Biman. Their love, trust and loyalty. That was why even in the worst time of Biman, they did not stop travelling by Biman. The captive passengers over 2.0 million are there to fly by Biman.
With the induction of new aircraft or before, Biman has to improve its standard in traffic handling and flight services. Biman's cabin crew and airport counter traffic personnel need to be more friendly, smiling, polite and helpful to the passengers (it doe not matter what classes they travel). Proper attention should be given to handle the baggage after landing and speed the delivery system to the passengers.
All over the world, airlines are going for ticket-less online reservation system. Although Biman has started this services, but still there is a lot of room to improve. Credit card payment system must be allowed in all fields-ticketing, payment of overweight and buying of in-flight duty free products.
During my flying career (over 30 years), I have gone through bumpy ride (American version) that means turbulence. These turbulences are either of visible weather or clear weather turbulence (CAT). Logically, the aircraft are designed to withstand it. But my point is here to say that all turbulences are not for a long time. It is always for a short time, but one has to prepare for encountering it. My advices to passengers is that just tighten your seat belt and relax. Sometimes I have given my prescription to passengers to chew 'ice cube'.
Here, Biman's Sidr cyclone would have been over a long time back, had we all been a bit alert earlier. Now, we should be more alert about Biman's future. Just getting the aircraft is not enough to overcome the crisis.
The new board must give more attention to improve the ground handling of passenger and cargo. Biman can earn a huge amount of money by upgrading the equipment and manpower.
Biman can also earn money by providing technical/ routine maintenance services to other foreign carriers at Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet airports. Besides, Biman has a modern hanger as well as well trained engineering manpower. Just Biman needs to organise it by requesting renowned airlines consulting (here Lufthansa Consulting could be requested) to set up the initial technical know-how. Once, other airlines come to know that their aircraft's maintenance (just C -- check not overhaul) could be carried out here at a cheaper rate with the same standard, they will definitely approach Biman.
Again, I would request Biman Board to consider the floating of shares in different ways. Floating of bond with perks could be a great idea to raise fund. This bond should be sold among the passengers who travelled with Biman. The perks could be of free ticket (subject to load), and extra baggage allowances. I think the Bangladeshis here and abroad will be overwhelmed to buy this bond. This fund will be quite enough to buy new aircraft. (I tried this idea of mine for a long time, but I observed that the United Airways which came just a few months back has already started).
Since there is a significant growth of passengers in and out of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Civil Aviation must, therefore, work at the same speed to improve the airport facilities such as more boarding bridges.
The present boarding bridges are not suitable to handle more passengers and there is only one outlet). With the increased frequencies (take-off & landing), air traffic controllers have to go through advanced training and modern system to be used for controlling. Two questions are always in my mind: are they trained properly and are they paid properly?
The immigration system has improved a lot, but its personnel need speed (more training requires to work with computers) and so is the customs.
The Ministry needs also to give proper attention to the way the private airlines spreading the wings. Just giving the licence to operate as an airline is not the solution. Market growth and market share should be evaluated and calculated so that none sinks in future. The Civil Aviation Authority should have participated in Travel Mart held every year. Airport is a business house now in all over the world. Participation in Travel Mart would help attract other business investors to invest in the infrastructures like duty-free shops, restaurants and transportation services.
The bumpy ride of Biman will be over as 150 million Bangladeshis are there to back it up.
The writer is a retired DC-10 Flight Engineer and a former President of Flight Engineers and Navigators Association
I woke up in the morning and regularly read newspaper. When I read something good about Biman, I feel good and the whole day I enjoy myself. That happened to me when Dr. M.A. Momen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Biman- Bangladesh Airlines Ltd informed the media that Biman which was facing a near bankruptcy in 2006, "now has cash reserves of Taka. 5.10 billion (510 crore)". Biman's financial strength could have been better, had the airlines procured one or two wide-bodied aircraft.
In another day, I read the news about the signing of Air Services Agreement with India. I was not happy on that day. The private airlines in Bangladesh think that they are happy about the outcome. But unfortunately, in the long run, Air India, Indian Airlines and Jet Air will be benefited as because it is the Bangladeshi passengers who will go through India to the Middle East and other destination. Just see how many of total 32,000 passengers that had travelled to Kolkata and how many of the total -- 10,000 passengers -- that had travelled to Delhi/ Mumby. Yes, it does not matter to Biman.
Biman's present Board of Directors has rightfully made the decision of buying eight new Boeing aircraft. Biman has made a choice of the aircraft -- B777-300 ER and B787-8. These are fuel efficient aircraft. With the induction of these aircraft, Biman will make profit even on Dhaka- New York-Dhaka route.
As soon as this piece of news came out all employee of Biman got the boost-up. They even went to the press to express their gratitude to Biman Board.
Biman is the unofficial Ambassador of Bangladesh. I have seen the feelings of the passengers about Biman. Their love, trust and loyalty. That was why even in the worst time of Biman, they did not stop travelling by Biman. The captive passengers over 2.0 million are there to fly by Biman.
With the induction of new aircraft or before, Biman has to improve its standard in traffic handling and flight services. Biman's cabin crew and airport counter traffic personnel need to be more friendly, smiling, polite and helpful to the passengers (it doe not matter what classes they travel). Proper attention should be given to handle the baggage after landing and speed the delivery system to the passengers.
All over the world, airlines are going for ticket-less online reservation system. Although Biman has started this services, but still there is a lot of room to improve. Credit card payment system must be allowed in all fields-ticketing, payment of overweight and buying of in-flight duty free products.
During my flying career (over 30 years), I have gone through bumpy ride (American version) that means turbulence. These turbulences are either of visible weather or clear weather turbulence (CAT). Logically, the aircraft are designed to withstand it. But my point is here to say that all turbulences are not for a long time. It is always for a short time, but one has to prepare for encountering it. My advices to passengers is that just tighten your seat belt and relax. Sometimes I have given my prescription to passengers to chew 'ice cube'.
Here, Biman's Sidr cyclone would have been over a long time back, had we all been a bit alert earlier. Now, we should be more alert about Biman's future. Just getting the aircraft is not enough to overcome the crisis.
The new board must give more attention to improve the ground handling of passenger and cargo. Biman can earn a huge amount of money by upgrading the equipment and manpower.
Biman can also earn money by providing technical/ routine maintenance services to other foreign carriers at Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet airports. Besides, Biman has a modern hanger as well as well trained engineering manpower. Just Biman needs to organise it by requesting renowned airlines consulting (here Lufthansa Consulting could be requested) to set up the initial technical know-how. Once, other airlines come to know that their aircraft's maintenance (just C -- check not overhaul) could be carried out here at a cheaper rate with the same standard, they will definitely approach Biman.
Again, I would request Biman Board to consider the floating of shares in different ways. Floating of bond with perks could be a great idea to raise fund. This bond should be sold among the passengers who travelled with Biman. The perks could be of free ticket (subject to load), and extra baggage allowances. I think the Bangladeshis here and abroad will be overwhelmed to buy this bond. This fund will be quite enough to buy new aircraft. (I tried this idea of mine for a long time, but I observed that the United Airways which came just a few months back has already started).
Since there is a significant growth of passengers in and out of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Civil Aviation must, therefore, work at the same speed to improve the airport facilities such as more boarding bridges.
The present boarding bridges are not suitable to handle more passengers and there is only one outlet). With the increased frequencies (take-off & landing), air traffic controllers have to go through advanced training and modern system to be used for controlling. Two questions are always in my mind: are they trained properly and are they paid properly?
The immigration system has improved a lot, but its personnel need speed (more training requires to work with computers) and so is the customs.
The Ministry needs also to give proper attention to the way the private airlines spreading the wings. Just giving the licence to operate as an airline is not the solution. Market growth and market share should be evaluated and calculated so that none sinks in future. The Civil Aviation Authority should have participated in Travel Mart held every year. Airport is a business house now in all over the world. Participation in Travel Mart would help attract other business investors to invest in the infrastructures like duty-free shops, restaurants and transportation services.
The bumpy ride of Biman will be over as 150 million Bangladeshis are there to back it up.
The writer is a retired DC-10 Flight Engineer and a former President of Flight Engineers and Navigators Association