The Bangladesh Biman's decision to resume flight operation on domestic routes has prepared the ground for stiff competition among the private air companies, which will benefit the passengers, said sector insiders.
The national flag carrier is going to re-launch its domestic flights from next month aiming to grab major market share which are being enjoyed by four private companies.
Biman's resumption of home flights is prompting private fly companies to devise new marketing plans to sustain in a competitive market, sources in air companies said.
Four local airlines United Airways, Regent, Novo Air and US-Bangla operate flights to several domestic destinations, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Jessore, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Syedpur.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) data, 0.6 million passengers travelled by air in the country last year.
"The private airlines are going to face tough competition as the Biman has taken decision to resume flight operation on domestic routes," Md Kamrul Islam, Deputy General Manager of United Airways (BD) Ltd, told the FE.
Due to growing competition, he said, their company is taking a set of initiatives to provide passengers with better service.
"Our company is putting emphasis on maintenance of flight schedules and safety issues to attract more passengers," Mr Islam added.
An official of a private air company said the airlines may offer discount on tickets in coming days to attract more passengers.
AKM Mahfuzul Alam, Assistant Manager of Novo Air, said their company wants to ensure on-time performance, customer satisfaction, superior cabin services, safety and comfort journey.
He has claimed that as 97.36 per cent of their flights maintain schedule, 98 per cent of passengers are satisfied with their service. "We are providing the passengers with modern travel tools, e-commerce, paperless ticketing to give them more satisfaction."
Kazi Wahidul Alam, an aviation expert, said it is true that after resumption of Biman flights on domestic routes, the private airlines will have to face tough competition.
As part of the competition, he said, the private companies are going to make new investments which will help them expand their business.
Such measures will also ensure better service for passengers, he said, adding that Bangladesh has a huge potential in the aviation sector.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which has recently come back on its profit track, is going to resume its home flights from April this year after 2007.
Abdus Salam Murshedy, Managing Director of Envoy Group, one of leading readymade garment (RMG) manufacturers and exporters, said it is good news for air passengers as the private companies are turning to improvement of their service.
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