Summary
- Delays persist for Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ US return due to regulatory hurdles.
- Biman aims to operate the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to New York via Turkey, despite expected financial losses in the first year.
- Future expansion includes potential service to six US cities.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the flag carrier of Bangladesh, is planning to expand its fleet and routes, including service to the US. Last fall, the airline filed an application with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to resume flights to the US this summer, but those plans have yet to come to fruition. A return to the US would mark nearly a decade since the carrier last operated passenger flights on its own metal. It formerly flew to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) via Brussels until July 2006.
In 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged Biman to find a replacement for its aging and gas-guzzling McDonnell Douglas DC-10s by December of that year. Experts also cited that the aircraft was not properly equipped for safe operations over the Atlantic. On May 13, 2006, the FAA officially banned Biman’s service to JFK due to safety concerns. More than a decade later, the carrier’s US Exemption Authority and Foreign Air Carrier Permit finally expired, meaning the airline would have to file another in order to return to the US.
Blocked by government regulations
In September, Biman submitted its application for exemption authority “to commence the transportation of passengers, general cargo, and mail between Dhaka, Bangladesh and New York.” At the time, Bangladesh was listed in the FAA’s Category 2 status, as it did not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, according to the DOT.
“…FAA inspectors have assessed Bangladesh’s civil aviation authority and determined that it does not provide safety oversight in accordance with ICAO standards.”
Biman, however, believed that its home country’s FAA status would be upgraded to Category 1 soon after the agency and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) “continue their joint work.” Should the upgrade take place, Biman would be granted authority to operate its own aircraft on flights to the US. It also depends on whether the DOT approved its Exemption Authority request, which was also filed jointly, with its Foreign Air Carrier Permit.
Five flights per week to JFK
Since Biman was last on US soil, it has gone through a fleet renewal program. The airline currently operates a small long-haul fleet of the following Boeing aircraft types:
- 777-300ER
- 787-8 Dreamliner
- 787-9 Dreamliner
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According to the DOT, Biman would operate its 787-9 on the route to JFK, via İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) in Turkey.
“If authority is granted, Biman will operate five weekly flights with seasonal variation as regular scheduled service carrying a combination of passengers, cargo, and mail,” the airline explained. “Biman will use its own B787-9 aircraft configured to carry 298 passengers (30J+21W+247Y), and 15,000 kgs of cargo capacity. The configuration of the equipment used may change in the future.”
The journey to JFK via ADB would be just around 7,880 miles, according to One Mile At A Time. Albeit long, the route would allow the carrier to avoid Russian airspace and fly closer to the North Pole as opposed to flying directly over the Atlantic. The route is expected to be costly, which Biman seems to be aware of. The carrier’s DOT filing reportedly contained the planned financial figures for the service and unveiled that it could lose as much as $53 million in the first year of operation. At five weekly flights, the airline would operate 260 roundtrip flights annually. With the anticipation of a 70% load factor, Biman expected revenue close to $100 million, but costs to exceed $153 million.
Despite the unsatisfactory margins, the primary motivation for resuming service to the US could be solely for business ties and not profits. Biman’s financial situation is performing well, according to the airline’s CEO, Shafiul Azim, who spoke to New Age Business Magazine in September. The executive said Biman is “consistently” on time for payments for the airplanes it has purchased. He went on to explain that “despite fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate, the airline remained profitable with expectations for continued profitability.”
Other US destinations
Its hopeful return is not, however, limited to just one destination. Biman also indicated its interest in serving six other cities within the country with eight additional intermediate points:
|
Possible US Cities |
Possible Intermediate Cities |
|---|---|
|
Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, Newark, Washington DC |
Abu Dhabi, Brussels, Rome, Manchester, Birmingham, Istanbul, New Delhi, Amsterdam |
Photo: Boeing
Azim mentioned that as the airline continues to grow, tourism will follow and hopes that adding new service will allow US tourists to experience all that Bangladesh has to offer.
“Biman is fully committed to infusing the essence of our nation into its services and network, showcasing Bangladesh’s rich history, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and national pride. The country’s unique appeal lies in its diverse seasons, coastal location, the world’s longest sandy beach, pristine mangrove forests, picturesque hills, expansive plains, serene haors, quaint villages, and meandering rivers — all within the same nation.”
Photo: Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) would be among one of its furthest destinations and likely popular. Simple Flying previously reported that over 6,000 Bangladeshi immigrant families live in the LA neighborhood of Little Bangladesh, although it is estimated that as many as 20,000 currently reside there. Bangladeshi people began settling in Southern California in the 1960s.
Simple Flying has reached out to Biman for details on the progress of its US ambitions. However, the exact timeline remains unclear. Azim explained that the airline only has 21 aircraft, and according to ch-aviation, 10 jets are widebodies. It could be likely that the airline wants to hold back until it receives more aircraft, aligning with its aforementioned fleet expansion plans.
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