Biman Bangladesh

[Ray Finkle]

As long as the weather is on side I'll pop down one of the days to get some :s_yes

Dear Customer,



There has been a lot of interest lately from press, aviation enthusiasts and the general public, on what will be happening with Biman’s last DC10s, which will be phased out in the coming months with the arrival of new aircraft. These are the last flying passenger DC10-30 aircraft in the whole world. So I thought I would take this opportunity to brief you with the latest news, which will be updated when further firm news becomes available.



Biman currently has one DC10-30 flying. As its fuel consumption is higher than other aircraft in our fleet, it is used sparingly. One of the last DC10s came to the end of its economic life on 10th November 2013 and will be scrapped locally. This other last DC10 will continue normal flying until 08 February 2014, when our latest 777-300ER comes into service after arriving straight from Boeing in Seattle.



This last DC10 will continue flying on these final few flights to the Middle East and Hong Kong, until approximately 08 February, when it is grounded, replaced by a brand new 777-300 and it will only be used as a back-up.



The last DC10 is being donated to an Aviation Museum in either the USA or in the EU. A fitting end for an aircraft that has served Biman loyally over many years! Accordingly, we will then offer for sale, as a last opportunity to travel on a passenger DC10, anywhere in the world:

a. Seats on a last flight Dhaka to Birmingham (UK) will leave on Thursday, Feb 20 with an 0830 departure and a technical stop in Kuwait. It’s estimated that the aircraft will arrive in Birmingham around 1600 on the same day. This flight will go live for sale on Tuesday, Jan 15 and you can book it via our website using the special fares being offered.

b. One hour ‘scenic tours’ to/from Birmingham on Sat, Feb 22, Sunday, the 23rd and Monday the 24th at 0900, 1200 and 1500 hours. Also on Tuesday, Jan 15, these flights will be bookable on our website. For the absolutely last DC10 flight to be operated on, Monday the 24th at 1500, Ian Allen Travel of the UK will also be selling tickets on their website

c. We will also be selling various DC10 and F28 memorabilia at Birmingham closer in.



Scenic tour Tickets for the last passenger flight will only be sold via ourselves on our website or with our partner - Ian Allan Travel whose website is at www.ianallantravel.com. This website will be updated by January 10th, 2014 with all the details on the flight times and how to book, we will provide additional info on our own website about these DC10 flights by Tuesday, Jan. 15th. . So do not buy tickets elsewhere; we want these tickets to go to genuine aviation enthusiasts!



While we recognize that it is time for the very latest in new aircraft and technology we are excited by the reaction to our operating these last flights of the DC10. We look forward to seeing you on one of the flights!



Best regards,



Kevin Steele

MD & CEO

http://www.biman-airlines.com/about/new ... 7e508f36b8

 

[Ray Finkle]

The scenic flights were put on sale today and the Biman website is showing the Saturday and Sunday as sold out already. I thought I read that the Monday would go on sale first as being the last ever flights that's when they expected the most demand, then the Saturday and Sunday would go on sale after they had gone? Maybe I'm wrong though and they have actually just sold out?

 

[Ray Finkle]

In answer to my own question the Sunday flight has now gone on sale so I imagine Saturday won't be too far behind. Incidentally the 15:00 departure on Monday 24th has now sold out, unsurprising really as it will be the very last flight (BHX-Seattle will not be on general sale I'm told).

 

[User0001]

Biman do not hold the rights to serve the route so no surprise BHX-SEA will not be open to the public.

It will be interesting to see how long it will take Biman to get the USA right sorted. They still hold the rights to MAN-EWR but thus far the US authorities seem reluctant to change that. I have no idea why as I would imagine there is no security difference between MAN-EWR and BHX-JFK.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Well they originally wanted the flight on sale mid December, it then became early January and here we now are and the US side of things are still not sorted. I bet it must be squeaky bum time for Mr Kehoe, if this doesn't get clearance in time then it could make for a very low key extension opening.

 

[User0001]

Well the way Biman operated I would not be in the slightest bit surprised if they get it sorted in March and still launch the route in April. They are not your regular airline.

Im not saying this against BHX, but at Biman, given they still intend to launch MAN why they don't just launch MAN-EWR with the rights they already have and launch a stand alone route to BHX (in other words swap the current plan around) is beyond me. Surely that will help their reputation, get the route to the USA open and still have roughly the same effect as the plan they currently have. Don't get me wrong I would rather they stayed out of MAN unless they sort their act out, but obviously they have other plans.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Im not saying this against BHX, but at Biman, given they still intend to launch MAN why they don't just launch MAN-EWR with the rights they already have and launch a stand alone route to BHX (in other words swap the current plan around) is beyond me.

Purely a guess, and I may seem a little cynical, but BHX may well have offered them a very good deal to route through to JFK, Biman get cheap fees and BHX get to shout about two new long haul routes purely as a result of the runway extension. If so it'll be interesting see what happens when the fanfare is over and the deal runs out with full rates payable.

 

[User0001]

But after all the fanfare I wonder if the fees are all they appear to be.

I have no doubt in my mind BHX have offered a fantastic deal to Biman, and would not be surprised if they have gotten a 'freebie', however my argument is, if Biman intend to launch Manchester again like they say they will, after stating 'BHX gave them the better deal', then are fees an issue to Biman?
Why make such a public statement just to launch a direct flight to the other airport anyway?

If Biman launches MAN at 4 weekly, then that is the same total frequency as BHX and therefore be paying the same 2 sets of fees anyway, so, may as well swap them around rather than drag out the admin nightmare they seem to be having with the US.

The above may not make sense in writing, but its very hard trying to type exactly what it is I am trying to put across.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I understand what you mean, in any normal world it would make sense just to use permissions already in place and route 2x weekly through MAN to the US (and 2x weekly back) then do 4x weekly BHX terminator flights, little or no red tape involved.

It makes me wonder even more that if BHX have given them an offer too good to refuse then maybe JFK is one of the conditions of that offer, if you go back through some of the articles so far then JFK seems to be the main focus with DAC almost a side issue.

 

[User0001]

Yes BHX must have laid down a condition that JFK be served, but, given Air Blue have pulled UK ops, a runway extension to Christen and no other rumours of long haul, are BHX in the position to be picky? Surely BHX-DAC is better than nothing at all if the permissions can not be sorted?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'm inclined to agree with you but BHX have tried hard to get another US link this year (namely ORD) with no success from the main players so with a nice bit of spin they have a 'new service to New York' to shout about. I'm sure United will be terrified at the prospect

 

[User0001]

Just looking at Biman's latest schedule changes, and it looks like all B777-300's are now fully utilised on existing routes.
This seems so far to also include the expected delivery of another B777-300 so not sure where BHX/JFK could now fit into that schedule.

 

[thunderchild]

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/bi ... craft-7823

Looks like they are planning on getting some more metal.

 

[thunderchild]

Sadly, that new metal appears to be two clapped out Egyptair birds; not the brand new 77W! Already going back on what they said. Launch date of June 4th - I won't hold my breath!

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2014/01/27/15834

 

[User0001]

Are the people of Birmingham slowly coming around the fact this airline can not be relied upon? Are we seeing why MAN told them to sod off?

Those Egyptair birds are beyond clapped out, one was even used as a parts donor before being brought back to life.

For Biman to think they can shove one of these on such a long routing (it will certainly be long for those travelling DAC-JFK), shows they have no clue what so ever.

Even if the dunlops hit the deck, how long do you think these unreliable aircraft can keep the route going, before the route is pulled due to 'lack of aircraft'. They STILL have not got the permissions for the USA.

It seems Biman are about as good at sticking to a plan as George Bush was at sorting New Orleans out after the hurricane!

 

[thunderchild]

A leopard never changes it's spots it seems. Have always been a bit dubious where Biman is concerned but had been willing to give them the benefit of the doubt but they haven't even landed yet and the whole operation seems to be turning into a farce! I'm still not 100% convinced anything will materialise and if it does I don't see it lasting. And those Egyptair 777's? I should think the DC-10's are in a better condition!

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've said before I think this route is nothing more than Biman taking advantage of some serious discounts and BHX desperate to have something to shout about for the new runway opening. Those aircraft are going to need a serious amount of work, especially if they end up needing to sub lease to a European operator. I think they have to be given a chance at BHX, that's if they even start in the first place, but I reckon they'll be here less than 12 months before being added to the ever growing list of failures.

 

[User0001]

I think they have to be given a chance at BHX

I can't fault your enthusiasm Ray, but, just how many chances do you propose to give them? They have not even started yet, and already have broken 2 'promises' (April start date now June, and new B77W now a dilapidated B772).

and BHX desperate to have something to shout about for the new runway opening

That boat has clearly sailed. Runway opens in April, Biman have now said they will start in June (possible July if we are working to 'Biman time'.)

but I reckon they'll will be here less than 12 months

Given the state of those B777-200's, I give it 6 months before they are grounded so much they have no choice but to pull the route.

Seriously Ray, I appreciate this will be a big thing for BHX if it works out, but I just have that horrible feeling I will be saying 'told you so'. As an aviation enthusiast, I would rather be proven wrong, but I just don't see it happening.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I agree with what you say, I don't think the route will even start in the first place, to be totally honest I wouldn't be too bothered about it if it didn't. If BHX want a new link to the US then they should go about it properly and sit down with either United or Delta and make them an offer they can't refuse. A twice weekly link on a battered old aircraft, which will be prone to massive delays, with an airline that the vast majority of the British public have probably never heard of, and would probably not think twice about using to New York even if they had, is not the way to announce the runway extension to the world. It's all so typically BHX!

The other thought I had was with the route now proposed for a June start it's hardly ideal for the publicity side of things, could Biman now find the airport charges have risen somewhat?

 

[thunderchild]

I reckon they'll will be here less than 12 months

Air Blue, US Airways, Mahan Air, Armavia, Uzbekistan Airways, Iceland Express, Spannair, Hellenic Imperial, Air Sylhet, Akal Air, Aerosvit, CSA Czech Airlines, Air Slovakia, Tajikistan Airlines, Khazakstan Airlines, Kyrgyzstan Airlines, Daallo Airlines....does any other airport have such a run of bad luck with new airlines than BHX? Correct me if I’m wrong but in the past six years BHX has only seen one airline start up and last more than a year and that’s Turkish....it’s looking better for Air India this time round but I really can't see Biman breaking the mould. Lets hope Aegean fair better.