Biman charts aggressive growth with fleet expansion, route increases, digital push

Dhaka : Biman Bangla-desh Airlines is setting its sights on a new era of growth, with plans to expand routes, modernize its fleet, and strengthen its digital footprint to meet surging demand on both passenger and cargo fronts.

In an exclusive interview with The Bangladesh Monitor, Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman, Managing Director and Chief Exe-cutive Officer of Biman Bang-ladesh Airlines, outlined the flag carrier's roadmap for the coming decade.

Route expansion, global partnerships

"Our plan is to expand routes and increase connectivity. High-demand routes will see additional frequencies, while new destinations are on the horizon," Rahman said.

Biman is also deepening its global reach through Special Prorate Agreements (SPAs) with international airlines. The carrier already has partnerships with ITA Airways, Turkish Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Gulf Air, and others.

Through its SPA and interline arrangement with ITA Airways, passengers can book single tickets for journeys combining both airlines, giving Bangladeshi travelers seamless access to ITA's European network, especially Italy. "This enhances travel options between Bangladesh and Europe significantly," Rahman noted.

Digital transformation underway

Biman is also investing heavily in digital platforms. Its B2B portal is being enriched to boost sales, while card and online payment options are expanding.

"The government is developing a centralized portal where Biman will be integrated. Customers will be able to purchase Biman tickets directly through that platform as well," Rahman said.

Cargo business surging

The airline's cargo segment has become a strong revenue driver, with earnings up 24 percent year-on-year. "We're increasing our cargo handling capacity and services, as well as expanding cargo destinations. This is a major area of focus for us," Rahman emphasized.

Fleet modernization, growth

Currently operating with 19 aircraft, Biman has set an ambitious fleet growth target. "By 2034, we will need 50 aircraft in total. We're working on expanding and modernizing our fleet with a mix of mid-size and widebody aircraft," Rahman said.

Routes like Jeddah, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, and London are witnessing rising demand, prompting the airline to consider increased frequencies. Widebody jets such as the Boeing 787 are increasingly required on these high-density routes.

Future destinations in pipeline

Beyond strengthening existing routes, Biman is exploring new destinations to diversify its global network. "Afterward, we will eye expansion to Sydney, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bali, and Korea," Rahman revealed.

With robust plans spanning partnerships, digital services, cargo, and fleet renewal, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is positioning itself as a stronger global player in the coming decade.