DHAKA, Aug 19 (Reuters) – State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines plans to lease three Boeing 777 aircraft to replace ageing DC-10s and help cut operational losses, a minister said on Monday.
State minister for civil aviation, Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, told Reuters the Boeing 777 price tag was at its lowest level since the model went into service in 1995. He said the company could not afford to buy the aircraft and leasing was cheaper.
“Biman will float a tender by October to bring in at least three Boeing 777s into its fleet to cut losses,” he said.
Nasir said the Biman board decided to lease wide-bodied Boeing 777s because the maintenance costs on its DC-10 planes had increased due to non-availability of spare parts.
“The board of directors of Biman have decided to take those (Boeing 777) under lease agreement since purchase would be more costly,” he said.
Biman officials said Biman produced a 200 million taka ($3.4 million) loss in fiscal 2001/2002.
They said Biman had now six DC-10 aircraft on dry lease, where the aircraft are leased without support services, such as maintenance. The lease contracts, due to expire in December this year, would not be renewed, they said.
Biman carried more than 1.5 million passengers during 2001/02, the officials said.
Nasir said Biman would appoint general service agents (GSA) in some centres, like Kolkata (India), Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Los Angeles (USA), to reduce operational costs. They would replace Biman’s own staff.
Biman operates flights to 26 international destinations in three continents using a fleet of 15 aircraft.
(US $1 = 57.9 taka)
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By: manbil7 - 30th August 2002 at 01:56
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
I’ve never found their airplanes/engines to be unsafe and yes I’m a bangladeshi person residing overseas. No Large crashes involving DC-10’s definitely. Skills of Pilots are better than most western carriers I’d say. Now as far as punctuality that’s another story but things are improving slowly.
The govt. has been trying to privatize the airline for three years but is facing opposition from the unions.
By: KabirT - 23rd August 2002 at 09:55
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
yup…lots of backpakers from Europe come to India via Biman…they are dirt cheap in LHR-DHK route.
By: carl727 - 22nd August 2002 at 19:12
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
Will keep it in mind, as I know they offer quite good fares to the East.
By: KabirT - 22nd August 2002 at 15:51
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
I have heard they are not that bad on international flights, specialy on A310 flights.
By: carl727 - 22nd August 2002 at 12:20
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
I thought this may have been the case, but just wondered
Cheers
carl
By: KabirT - 21st August 2002 at 14:46
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
es i have been on there F28. Long time back though. At least they are terrible on dosmestic service. Dont know about international service.
By: carl727 - 21st August 2002 at 12:41
RE: Biman to lease 777’s
I have always found Biman interesting, being that they have quite an extensive network, based in a country that has more than its fair share of troubles. I hope they are successful, has anyone flown on them ??? Scheduled DC-10 operators are getting few and far between these days, the 777 introduction to their fleet should boost their profile.
p.s is their safety record ok, seem to think they may have lost some aircraft ?? maybe F28s ?
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August 21, 2002 at 6:02 am