UNB, Dhaka :
As its earlier tender has failed to evoke any response from suppliers, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has relaxed the age restriction in procuring three Boeing aircraft on dry lease basis.
In its recent tender, Biman has increased the age of the aircraft by two years up to maximum 12 years old for the three Boeing aircraft it has planned to procure against 10 years as it mentioned in its first tender.
“We didn’t get any response from our first tender. So, we’ll have to go for the second tender relaxing the age limit for the aircraft,” a senior official concerned at the national flag carrier told UNB.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to induct three new aircraft for five years on dry lease basis (only the aircraft) in its fleet commencing
from July to December this year with a view to expanding its wings to more destinations. These three aircraft are of 737-800, 777-200ER and 777-300 ER series.
According to the tender paper, the 777-300ER will have 419 seats in total, while 777-200ER 319 seats while the 737-800 will have 162 seats.
In the first tender document Biman had stated that the commencement of the dry lease would be from July this year. Asked about the reason behind the non-availability of 10 years old aircraft, the Biman official said many international airliners have started inducting aircraft in their fleets for their expanding their wings amid fuel price drop.
“You can’t get an aircraft from the manufacturers within a couple of months, you have to wait for months together to get the new aircraft. That’s why the airliners are looking for older aircraft,” he said.
He also mentioned that under-ten aircraft are the prime choice of the airliners as the standard accepted average of the aircraft are below eight years of age.
According to sources at Biman, these aircraft would help the national flag carrier fill the gap after the phasing out of two Airbus aircraft from its fleet within the next year. Currently, Biman has two decades old A310-300s in its fleet, with the seat capacity of one is 198 while another 196.
A senior Biman official told UNB that the 737-800 would be used on Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kathmandu routes, while another two wide-bodied aircraft would be mainly used for the Middle Eastern countries. The Biman official, involved in its Corporate Planning, told the news agency that the airliner is foreseeing a jump in sending manpower to the Middle Eastern countries as the government has signed some agreements with some governments of these countries in this regard.
As its earlier tender has failed to evoke any response from suppliers, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited has relaxed the age restriction in procuring three Boeing aircraft on dry lease basis.
In its recent tender, Biman has increased the age of the aircraft by two years up to maximum 12 years old for the three Boeing aircraft it has planned to procure against 10 years as it mentioned in its first tender.
“We didn’t get any response from our first tender. So, we’ll have to go for the second tender relaxing the age limit for the aircraft,” a senior official concerned at the national flag carrier told UNB.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to induct three new aircraft for five years on dry lease basis (only the aircraft) in its fleet commencing
from July to December this year with a view to expanding its wings to more destinations. These three aircraft are of 737-800, 777-200ER and 777-300 ER series.
According to the tender paper, the 777-300ER will have 419 seats in total, while 777-200ER 319 seats while the 737-800 will have 162 seats.
In the first tender document Biman had stated that the commencement of the dry lease would be from July this year. Asked about the reason behind the non-availability of 10 years old aircraft, the Biman official said many international airliners have started inducting aircraft in their fleets for their expanding their wings amid fuel price drop.
“You can’t get an aircraft from the manufacturers within a couple of months, you have to wait for months together to get the new aircraft. That’s why the airliners are looking for older aircraft,” he said.
He also mentioned that under-ten aircraft are the prime choice of the airliners as the standard accepted average of the aircraft are below eight years of age.
According to sources at Biman, these aircraft would help the national flag carrier fill the gap after the phasing out of two Airbus aircraft from its fleet within the next year. Currently, Biman has two decades old A310-300s in its fleet, with the seat capacity of one is 198 while another 196.
A senior Biman official told UNB that the 737-800 would be used on Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kathmandu routes, while another two wide-bodied aircraft would be mainly used for the Middle Eastern countries. The Biman official, involved in its Corporate Planning, told the news agency that the airliner is foreseeing a jump in sending manpower to the Middle Eastern countries as the government has signed some agreements with some governments of these countries in this regard.
