Biman Bangladesh Airlines evaluating bids for fleet order
27 Feb 2008
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has confirmed that it is evaluating bids from Boeing and Airbus for a total of 12 aircraft. According to airline officials, a decision may be arrived at by 15 March 2008.
An early decision, according to officials, is on the cards as the airline needs new aircraft urgently to maintain its flight schedules.
Earlier, in 2006, a shortage of funds and aircraft forced Biman to suspend services to New York, Paris, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Brussels, Yangon and Mumbai.
The carrier has already reported a $100 million net loss for 12 months ended 30 June 2007, due to rising fuel prices and weak passenger demand. A restructuring effort since, by the government, has included converting the carrier into a public company in July 2007 and also retrenching a large number of staff.
Biman has a network of 19 international destinations, which it serves with a fleet of 12 aircraft.