In a bid to fortify its position as a profitable airline, Biman Bangladesh is gearing up for a significant expansion of its destinations this year.
The national flag carrier has announced plans to broaden its horizons and solidify air connectivity for Bangladeshi passengers through strategic Code Sharing Agreements that would extend its reach to various European destinations.
In an exclusive conversation with Bangladesh Post, Shafiul Azim, the Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh, disclosed the airline’s forward-looking strategy. Azim stated, “We are all set to inaugurate flights to Narita at the outset of the upcoming months. Subsequent to this, we are charting a course to tap into other global destinations in the following months. For instance, we are scheduled to commence operations to Guangzhou and Chennai in the month of October.”
Azim emphasized the potential of the Dhaka-Narita route, affirming, “The Dhaka-Narita route holds promise for Biman Bangladesh Airlines in terms of providing sustained and competitive service in the market.”
He further elaborated on the advantages, citing the burgeoning business collaborations between Japanese companies and Bangladesh, as well as the increasing enrollment of Bangladeshi students in Japanese universities.
The flight schedule for the Dhaka-Narita route is slated for departures every Friday, Monday, and Wednesday at 11:45pm from Dhaka, and returns from Narita to Dhaka every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11am.
Azim has also said that the progressive approach towards expanding their network, stating, “Our focus is on gradually launching flights on these routes. We are meticulously assessing and devising strategies to initiate operations on each of these routes in the most expeditious manner possible.”
Presently, Biman Bangladesh operates regular flights to 19 global destinations. Azim underscored the airline’s fleet enhancement, stating, “Our fleet encompasses 21 aircraft, including Dreamliners. To further amplify our capabilities, we are in the process of procuring ten new aircraft from Airbus.”
The influx of new aircraft is expected to facilitate an increase in flight frequency on popular routes, fostering a more competitive market landscape and potentially leading to lower ticket prices.
Azim’s vision transcends the boundaries of Asia, as he affirmed, “We are focused on expanding not only across Asia but also in the western regions, with special emphasis on Europe.”
Notably, Biman Bangladesh has already taken substantial steps towards launching direct flights from Dhaka to New York. Azim expressed optimism, stating, “With the upgrade to Level 1 status from Federal Aviation Authority, we are confident of commencing flights to the USA by the close of this year or at the commencement of the next.”
Azim unveiled Biman Bangladesh’s overarching ambition, declaring, “We envision attaining a position among the top ten airlines in Asia, with aspirations to ascend even further to the top three. This vision propels our ongoing efforts. Our fleet is expanding, and we are committed to recruiting skilled pilots wherever necessary while enhancing the capabilities of our cabin crews.”
Azim shared a recent partnership milestone, revealing, “Biman Bangladesh Airlines has forged a transformative partnership with Gulf Air, poised to redefine travel between Bangladesh and the Gulf region. This partnership facilitates seamless travel routes from Dhaka to Bahrain and vice versa, with onward connections to Chattogram and Sylhet available through both Biman and Gulf Air.”
In conclusion, Biman Bangladesh’s ambitious expansion plans, coupled with strategic alliances, underline its commitment to bolstering air connectivity, increasing competitiveness, and achieving greater heights in the global aviation industry.
