Make Biman profitable in order to survive: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines needs to make profit for its survival.

She was speaking at a function, organised to mark the induction of Boeing 777 aircraft at the airport’s VVIP terminal on Thursday.

The Boeing 777, christened ‘Ranga Provat’ touched down the Shahjalal International Airport on Mar 23.

This is the fourth Boeing 777 acquired by the national flag carrier.

“And you all know very well, what will happen if it’s shut down. Everyone will be out of work. We want you to work properly so that Biman can be a profitable organisation,” she said at the induction ceremony.

Hasina also suggested Biman to induct cargo aircrafts to its fleet so that it can earn more revenue. Currently, aircrafts are leased for cargo services.

“We are developing the infrastructure (for Biman). But the service needs to be improved,” she said.

On the recent smuggled gold hauls at the airport, Hasina said: “This (smuggling) is a regular phenomenon. Rather, now it’s being detected as the security (at the airport) has improved a lot and this is the reality.”

The Prime Minister instructed that more attention should be given on the passenger-arrival services, ground-handling at the airport and domestic flight services.

In 2008, Biman had signed a deal with Boeing for four 777s, four 787s and two 737s aircrafts.

Two Boeing 777s - ‘Palki’ and ‘Arun Alo’ - had joined the Biman fleet in 2011. The third one, ‘Akash Pradip’ arrived in Feb this year.

The 737s are supposed to be delivered in Nov and Dec, 2015 and the last Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to arrive between 2017 and 2019.