• Fleet: As of July 2025, 21 aircraft comprising 4 Boeing 737-800s, 4 Boeing 777-300ERs, 4 Boeing 787-8s, 2 Boeing 787-9s, and 5 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s (Q400s). No active orders for additional aircraft are noted, following a modernization drive that phased out older models like DC-10s and Airbus A310s.
• Network: Serves 30 destinations across 48 routes, including 22 international (e.g., Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Guangzhou, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, London-Gatwick, Manchester, Medina, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Toronto-Pearson) and 8 domestic (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore, Rajshahi, Saidpur, Cox’s Bazar). Main hub: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Dhaka; secondary hubs: Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP), Chittagong; Osmani International Airport (ZYL), Sylhet.
• Codes and Allowances: IATA code BG; ICAO code BBG. Baggage: 20 kg checked (domestic/international); 7 kg cabin (max 56x36x23 cm).
• Workforce and Performance: Employs thousands, with a focus on skilled manpower training. Reported profits for three consecutive years by 2017, though it has faced historical challenges like overstaffing and losses. In 2025, it continues fleet optimization and tech upgrades, including SITA systems since 2013.

Biman positions itself as a key connector for Bangladesh’s growing economy, prioritizing safety, reliability, and cultural representation.

Brief History

Biman Bangladesh Airlines was born amid Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, when 2,500 former Pakistan International Airlines employees proposed forming a national carrier. Established on 4 January 1972 via Presidential Order No. 126 as Air Bangladesh (renamed Biman shortly after), it began domestic operations on 4 February with a Douglas DC-3, linking Dhaka to Chittagong, Jessore, and Sylhet—despite starting with no aircraft of its own. International services launched on 4 March with a chartered Boeing 707 to London, marking the start of its monopoly in Bangladesh’s aviation until 1996.

The 1970s and 1980s saw rapid expansion: Fleet additions included Fokker F27s (1972), more Boeing 707s (1973–1979), DC-10s (1983), and Fokker F28s (1981). Routes grew to 29 international destinations by the 1980s, from New York to Tokyo, including key Middle Eastern (Jeddah, 1978) and Asian (Bangkok, 1974; Singapore, 1977) hubs. It achieved profitability in 1978–79 and became a public sector corporation in 1977 with limited autonomy; share capital rose to BDT 2 billion in 1987. Challenges included accidents, like the 1984 Fokker F27 crash near Dhaka killing 49.

The 1990s brought Airbus A310s (1996–2003) and domestic ATPs (1990), but corruption, overstaffing, and political interference led to audits revealing debts (e.g., BDT 2.2 million in 1999). Market liberalization in 1996 ended its monopoly, prompting restructuring. The 2000s focused on recovery: Transformed into a public limited company on 23 July 2007 with government retaining full ownership (plans for 49% private stake unfulfilled), a Voluntary Retirement Scheme reduced staff, and Boeing deals in 2008 secured 737-800s, 777-300ERs, and 787-8s. The first 777 arrived in 2011, and DC-10s were phased out by 2014.

Modernization accelerated in the 2010s: New livery in 2010; first 787-8 in 2018; additional Dreamliners in 2019. Incidents included a 2019 hijacking attempt and Yangon crash. COVID-19 disruptions led to route adjustments, but recovery included Dhaka-Toronto launches in 2022 (with technical stops). By 2025, Biman has stabilized operations, added Dash 8s for domestic routes, and enhanced cargo/tech partnerships, solidifying its role in Bangladesh’s aviation sector despite past hurdles.

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Operations ran smoothly thanks to the expansion of self-bag drop capacity, mobile check-in desks, and the deployment of extra staff, while the runway 25L/7R renovations were completed on schedule with no impact on passengers.

In cargo, volumes rose nearly 3% to 58,000 tonnes in August. Flown cargo grew 13%, driven by a 38% jump in integrator services, while full-freighter traffic declined 5% and trucked cargo fell sharply (-51.5%). Asia, Africa, and North America were the top regions for both imports and exports.

Overall flight movements increased by 2%, with passenger flights up and cargo flights slightly down. The average load reached 152 passengers per flight.

The post Brussels Airport handles 5 million summer passengers and sees cargo growth in August first appeared on AircrewNews.com.