Biman Bangladesh eyes US, Europe, Oz for int'l expansion

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG, Dhaka) has outlined a provisional list of planned intercontinental destinations it is considering serving in the future.


In a recent issue of its "Bihanga" in-flight magazine, the Bangladeshi carrier alluded to serving Sydney Kingsford Smith (via Singapore Changi), Tokyo Narita, Guangzhou, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok, Colombo Int'l, Malé, Bahrain Int'l, Rome Fiumicino, and New York JFK via Manchester Int'l.


Published last month, Biman's Bihanga magazine shows an ambitious future destinations map. However, its publication coincides with the announcement last month that the airline would close seven of its foreign offices. Staff in New York, Rome, Toronto, Manchester, Hong Kong, Bahrain, and Delhi are scheduled to be brought back to Bangladesh in the next two months, according to local media reports.

Should the new destinations really be more than a wishlist, it will be Biman's first foray into the US market since 2006. At that time, flights to New York JFK ceased after incurring losses of BDT5 million (USD62,500) on each flight. The proposed new route would go from Dhaka via both Dubai Int'l and Manchester.
Biman also apparently plans to add a Sydney leg to its Singapore flight, which it currently operates 6x weekly.
Of the planned Italian route, Biman last flew to Rome Fiumicino in 2014 before ceasing due to large losses.

ch aviation