The state-owned flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been receiving extensive support from the government since its inception to run its operations. The airline has enjoyed assistance in nearly every area, including building infrastructure, acquiring aircraft, and securing the necessary sovereign guarantees, as well as handling ground operations at the country’s airports. Yet in the past 54 years, Biman has failed to position itself among the top airlines. Instead, the airline has faced constant criticism over frequent technical glitches, flight cancellations, schedule changes, fares often higher than some of the world’s leading airlines, as well as issues with cabin cleanliness and food quality.
London-based international air transport rating agency Skytrax ranks airlines worldwide based on passenger satisfaction. In 2025, Biman Bangladesh did not make it to Skytrax’s list of the world’s top 100 airlines. Within South Asia, it ranked ninth. On top of that, back in 2016, Biman was listed among the world’s 21 worst airlines by Skytrax in terms of safety and quality standards.
According to Skytrax, Biman Bangladesh has been certified as a three-star airline, based on indicators such as seat comfort, onboard facilities, food and beverages, in-flight entertainment, cleanliness, and the quality of service from staff both in-flight and on the ground. However, passengers often raise questions regarding the quality of most of these indicators.
Biman’s fleet currently consists of 19 aircraft. These include two Boeing 787-9s, four Boeing 787-8s, four Boeing 777-300ERs, four Boeing 737-800s, and five Dash-400 aircraft. With this fleet, the airline operates flights on 22 international and seven domestic routes. In recent times, Biman has faced multiple incidents of technical failure. Its flights have been grounded, turned back midair, canceled, and rescheduled, keeping the airline in frequent discussion.
Although no aircraft are currently grounded, Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ General Manager (Public Relations) ABM Rowshan Kabir told Bonik Barta that each of the recent controversies involving the airline was separate incidents. He added, “Our engineers are investigating the issues. In addition, a probe committee has been formed, led by Biman’s Chief of Technical, Captain Tanvir Khurshid. The committee will examine why these incidents occurred within such a short span of time. They will identify the causes and make necessary recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 12 million passengers travel by air in Bangladesh each year, with an annual growth rate of more than 10 percent. Within the next decade, the number of annual air travelers is expected to reach nearly 25 million. Aviation experts say that despite this growing demand, Biman has failed to attract passengers due to its poor service quality, frequent technical glitches, safety concerns, and comparatively higher fares. Except for expatriate workers, most regular travelers tend to avoid Biman flights.
Kazi Wahidul Alam, a former member of Biman’s board of directors and an aviation expert, told Bonik Barta, “In 54 years, an airline should have reached the peak of its growth. It is very unfortunate that Biman has not. Bangladesh does not lack passengers, but since they are not receiving the service they expect, they are choosing foreign airlines instead. The truth is, Biman was never developed into a modern airline. It lacks the type of management, professionalism, and skilled manpower required to run an airline.”
He described Biman’s operations as heavily bureaucratic. “Officials come in on a temporary basis, work for a short time, and then leave. Even after all these years, Biman has failed to build its own professional team. Since it is a commercial airline, it must be allowed to operate commercially. If it continues to be run like a government institution, it will never succeed.”
Despite receiving government facilities, Biman has not been able to make much profit from its operations. In FY 2023–24, the airline earned a profit of BDT 2.82 billion from passenger and cargo transportation, ground handling, and other services. In the previous FY 2022–23, the profit was BDT 280 million. Even though the airline has shown profit in its accounts, it is still burdened with nearly BDT 150 billion in liabilities and debts. These include charges and fees owed to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) for airport and airspace use, as well as outstanding payments to Padma Oil Company Limited for jet fuel.
After the interim government took office, it formed a task force to reset economic strategies and mobilize resources for inclusive and sustainable development. The task force noted that Biman has failed to deliver expected services for five decades and proposed that, if necessary, the airline be dissolved to form a new carrier. According to the task force report, the government will set clear and measurable targets for Biman to make it competitive in the aviation industry. If it fails to meet those targets, a new airline will be created in parallel using half of Biman’s assets and workforce.
In this context, several attempts were made to contact Biman’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Additional Secretary Fatema Rahim Veena (who is in charge of Biman under the ministry), and Biman’s Managing Director Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, but none could be reached.
Passenger dissatisfaction with Biman’s ticket prices has existed for a long time. On many routes, Biman’s tickets are sold at higher prices than those of some of the world’s top airlines. In several Middle Eastern destinations, repeated unusual fare hikes in recent years have left migrant workers in distress. This has often drawn criticism.
While Biman continues to struggle, airlines in countries with weaker economies than Bangladesh are doing well. Ethiopia, a country in East Africa devastated by civil war, has seen its national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, ranked 38th in Skytrax’s list of the world’s best airlines in 2025. Since last November, Ethiopian Airlines has also launched flights on the Dhaka–Addis Ababa route.