Bangladesh Taskforce Proposes Splitting Biman into Two Airlines
A Bangladeshi government taskforce has proposed splitting Biman Bangladesh Airlines into two separate entities, with one remaining under its current management and the other managed by a foreign airline. The goal is to evaluate performance and determine the best path for the state-owned carrier’s future.
Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, head of the Economic Strategy Realignment Taskforce, announced the proposal in Dhaka on February 3, 2025. He emphasized that Biman Bangladesh has struggled to remain competitive over its 50-year history, relying primarily on a captive market of migrant laborers, many of whom have complained about poor service quality.
The 12-member taskforce, formed last year, aims to implement aviation sector reforms to boost Bangladesh’s economy. The proposed split would create two separate entities operating under equal conditions, allowing the government to assess which model performs better.
One entity would be independently managed by a world-class airline, potentially Singapore Airlines or Qatar Airways, while the other would retain Biman’s existing fleet and routes. If either fails to improve performance, the government could shut it down.
“This strategy will help us determine which model works best for making Biman commercially viable,” Mahmud stated.
The proposal underscores the urgent need for modernization within Biman Bangladesh, with the government exploring foreign partnerships to enhance efficiency and service quality in its national airline.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com