Biman and Boeing
A report on the subject was published stating that Biman may go for Boeing’s offer for aircraft, which may help the ailing airlines to come out of its difficulties.
However, the induction of these new and better aircrafts from Boeing represents only part of the problem. It may help in improving the sudden and unexpected delays and random schedule upsets that have given Biman the bad name of ‘Beiman’ (unreliable). However this is not the only problem for our really sick airlines.
Another issue which has often been reported in the press, and is known to many disappointed passengers is the usual report from Biman that the flight is full while the flight goes practically empty. One reason for this could be that the travel agents block a good number of seats, and very often cancel the bookings at the last minute, as allowed, without incurring any penalty. Biman authorities can list out such defaulting agents, say, for the last two or three years, and de-list them and inform all other airlines and travel agents, and publish their names and addresses. This will hopefully stop this unholy practice.
Next in importance is to trim down the large numbers of practically free travellers, who are milking the Biman. These are Biman employees and their families and also officials of DG, civil aviation and the ministry concerned. This facility needs to be drastically restricted. Only Biman officials availing at least two weeks’ (15 days) continuous earned leave may be permitted to travel at concessional rates with only two minor children who are below twelve years. They will be allowed concessional rates of at least twenty per cent of the published fare plus all taxes on fixed-dated return tickets purchased at least 15 days prior to departure. These tickets should be non-refundable, non-endroseable and non-transferable for both up and down legs of the journey, and no open-dated ticket coupon for any sector should be issued. If these tickets are cancelled or flight dates are changed, concerned persons must pay full normal fare difference or the amounts involved will be deducted from the their salaries. The frequency of such concessional travel should be limited to on-line routes only, allowable once a year for overseas destination and maybe twice a year for domestic destinations. These tickets will entitle the passengers to only half the normal accompanied baggage allowance. Only one cabin luggage limited to 5kg. maximum should be allowed per passenger. Anything in excess will be charged at the normal excess baggage rates, failing which no boarding passes can be issued. These measures should be applicable to all Biman serving employees; and not more than six persons nominated by name and notified from time to time from the ministry including the DG Aviation’s office, should get such facilities. These rules need strict compliance, monitoring and auditing. The same facilities may be allowed to the airline’s board of directors only, and to no other persons. These facilities should not be applicable for special or discount fares announced for sales promotion or other commercial reasons.
Aircraft selection committee should have one or two technically qualified persons, not necessarily from air force. Military aircrafts are special types, attuned to manoeuvrability and speed, and is generally poor on overall thermal efficiency, as explained to us by Rolls Royce trainers when their Dart Turboprop Engine was introduced in PIA way back in the early ‘60s. The undersigned attended it at the PIA Engine Overhaul Shop in Karachi. Such members with hands on electro-mechanical equipment experience can appreciate the technical, economic and cost-benefit breakeven load factors for comparable aircrafts and engines.
SA Mansoor
Dhaka
Caretaker govt policies
The caretaker government should look at the big picture of where this country is headed to. There have been no significant economic development the last year; in fact, we are cursed with rising prices and various other afflictions at the moment.
The economy has generally slowed down while we are surrounded by countries whose economies are going up and up. The salaries of government officials need to be raised to a more realistic amount given today’s prices; that way the system will not force them into corruption. The government should take help from professional management for streamlining the revenue-earning sectors. They also need to encourage and support business activities and stop the scare tactics which have stunted our economic growth. This will lead to more employment and prosperity for the people and more tax for the government.
S Choudhury
UK
