Your Home In The Sky

Muhammad Zakiul Islam Last year Biman Bangla-desh Airlines Limited had adopted a new Logo and Livery for the Airlines. Perhaps, it's a rule of nature that if you don't possess something as your own, you may not be able to hold onto it for long. We could neither retain the leased aircraft nor the greenish stork which adorned them. Now we are reverting to our all too familiar Balaka, The White Stork, flying across the Red Sun. Although we have retained the bi-colour red and green livery, the new livery is an embodiment of the joy of flight, speed and dynamism. The main theme of Biman's Branding is "Uniquely and Warmly Bangladesh" which is based on seven Brand Pillars. These are: Biman's Brand Pillar: The Brand Theme and the Brand Pillars has been eloquently reflected on the new Boeing 777-300ER that we are inducting today. The first aircraft has been christened as "Palki" - the palanquin, by the Hon'ble Prime Minister. The name aptly catches and captures the mood and meaning of the primordial culture of the land. The 419 Seat aircraft in its two class configuration has 35 seats in the Business Class and 384 in the Economy. The Business Class is of high taste and getup. And the Economy class is both ergonomically compatible and passenger friendly. The 9-abrest seating allows enough leg space and lateral freedom to the passengers especially for long-haul flights. The added system of sliding seat-cushion, reclining back-rest, adjustable head-rest with provision for turning this into a pillow block are but features probably available in the present day Biman Fleet only. The Interior of the Business class is adorned with the motif of traditional Jamdani Design of Bangladesh ---- creating an atmosphere of a unique combination of Euclidian Geometry and traditional weaving genius of the folk artisans who have been practicing this skill for thousands of years. The Economy Class has two cabins: First one decorated with the national flower Shapla (the Water Lily) in their limitless beauty and grace, and the Second one with the Kashphool (common reed) in their truly magnificent and captivating abundance in the endless serenity of the season of the Bangla Shorotkal (The Late Autumn). The interior of this state-of- the -art modern aircraft has been blended with our traditional taste and culture and modern amenities. Every seat has its own Audio-Video System, popularly known in the industry as AVOD--- Audio Video on Demand. The In-Flight Entertainment System (IFE) is loaded with movies, drama, songs, video games and many more features and near-endless choices, so to say, in multiple languages catering to the needs of our valued passengers of all origin, age and taste. The cabin is provided with the Cabin Mood Light System which is designed to create a pleasant atmosphere inside the Cabin by automatically sensing the intensity and adjusting to the sunlight outside. Public interest in Biman is immense and its curiosity about this winged national entity is sky-high. Contrary to the general impression, I tend to believe that Biman has more friends than critics, more well-wishers than way- layers, more goodwill than ill will. Admittedly, over the years, Biman could not quite grow keeping in pace with its age and time. There are genuine reasons; there are also benign excuses. Result: The national flag carrier has been demonized more often than being eulogized. Having seen the brief, fleeting feat of profit for just two times in the recent past, last two years have seen times of unending agony and discomfiture. Sky-rocketing price of aviation fuel made the book keeping challenging. High fuel price, increased maintenance and spares parts cost of the ageing fleet, new pay scale for the employees, rentals for the leased aircraft and payment of interest for the Loan of Pre- Delivery Payment for the new aircraft exacerbated the financial crisis for the Airlines. Efforts to raise revenue for balancing the expenditure by enhancing sale proceeds faced unfriendly reaction from the customers and patrons alike. Biman is in a quandary in matching and keeping the fare affordable and, at the same time, competing with the Mid-Eastern airlines which are said to be privileged in enjoying special favours from the rich source of oil and robust economy. During the last Induction Ceremony, I had joined Rabindranath Tagore in prayers for granting strength to carry the national flag, a duty which the national carrier is bestowed with. Ó?Zvgvi cZvKv hv?i `vI, Zv?i ewnev?i `vI kKwZ Ó Slowly and gradually, with the heavenly kindness from the Providence and with active help and support from the Government, we are attaining that capability. First two of the ten aircraft that are being procured are going to join the fleet this year. We have already introduced the promised on-line booking system. Now, our customers can purchase their ticket on-line from anywhere in the world. Along with the introduction of automated Revenue Management System which will become operational by the year-end, we have put in place close monitoring of the GDS System for detection and prevention of false booking by unscrupulous Agents creating artificial crisis for tickets. With these preventive measures, it is expected that the old adage "No Ticket, Yet Empty Seat" will not be echoed. Acquisition of new aircraft and operation of new routes cannot be the last word and, be all and end all, proposition for modern airlines. Aviation and Air Transportation is a highly disciplined, well regulated and closely controlled profession and business, be it in the air or on the ground, wherein Quality Assurance and Safety Awareness ought to be the first and the last call. Thus, it is imperative for every airline to attain a high degree of technical competence, seamless operation, and adequate safety standard and friendly customer service up to a level of international acceptance. To this, Biman is committed to make a place for itself as a small yet internationally recognized airline. We have already received and renewed registration from the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for three times. This is recognition of international standard in the Air Transportation Industry. We have also undertaken plans for obtaining EASA 147 Rating for our Training System from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Next project in hand is to obtain EASA 145 Rating for the Engineering Department of Biman for converting this function into a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Agency of international acceptance. And having obtained the EASA 145 and EASA 147 Ratings, Biman will be in a position to offer and undertake training of personnel and provide third party Engineering Service to other airlines. Only recently, with the active assistance and guidance from EASA, we have introduced the Corporate Safety Management System (SMS) which is a mandated requirement of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). I shall take leave from my readers to digress a little, born perhaps out of both an inner calling of conscience and an earthly sense of passion. While constructive criticism is welcome, obstructive cynicism are baneful. But we see a plethora of the latter in the present day scenario. There is an English saying," A cynic knows the price of everything but value of nothing." On the occasion of the completion of two years of the present Government, one established Researcher, Writer and Columnist wrote in the December 30, 2010 issue of a leading Bangla daily, " The present condition of Biman is the worst of all the airlines in the present day world." "I presume that this airline shall face complete demise in the next three years." he went on. (My humble translation). With fears in my heart and tears in my eyes, I prayed that Allah Almighty grants us an opportunity for redemption. Perhaps, here it is today. But there is no room for complacence, neither is there a reason for bloating nor a cause for gloating. The national flag carrier shall not be perished in the thin air; rather it will spread its proud wings across the seven seas and continents. But we have a long way to go. Herewith my prayers with Tagore again ÒI?i wen½ ?gvi, GLbB AÜ, eÜ K?iv bv cvLv Ó Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam ((Retd.) is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited. He may be reached at email: mzaki_islam@yahoo.com