About 50 percent operational ability of Biman Bangladesh Arlines has been washed away due to restrictions imposed for coronavirus pandemic, sources said.
Most of the domestic and international flights have been suspended for the epidemic while the airlines had to bear a huge expenses for its staff salary, aircraft maintenance and different civil aviation charges
Biman Bangladesh Managing Director and CEO Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal told Business Mirror that the airline has lost 43 percent of its capacity. The company may face a huge operational losses due the uncertainty.
“Recently, we bought three brand new aircraft,” he said. In addition, there are five state-of-the-art technology aircraft. But we have to repay the loans and pay the maintenance cost.
The country’s commercial aviation sector faced huge financial losses in the first wave of the Corona. The sector is in a state of disarray due to the second wave of the epidemic. Since the beginning of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in March, the aviation sector has been struggling to survive due to the suspension of regular flights.
Although flight operation resumed from the middle of July, Biman is yet to begin its flight operation in full swing.
Mr. Kamal demanded a temporary waiver of aeronautical, non-aeronautical and other charges from the government to keep the airlines afloat.
Biman owns most of the 19 aircraft, of which four are 777-300 ER, four 787-8, two 787-9, six 737 and three are Dash-8 400 aircraft, she also said.

Of the total 17 international routes, the national airliner is now operating its flight on nine routes.
“Under this grave situation, inclusion of new aircraft in Biman is not seen as a very good news,” the official said.

M Mohibul Haque, senior secretary of the civil aviation ministry, earlier told Business Mirror that around Tk 200 crore is needed to carry out maintenance of Biman aircraft now.
Biman officials said they plan to increase its flight frequency on domestic and short-haul international routes with the new aircraft.