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Biman Bangladesh Airlines is struggling to contain an operational crisis on its flagship London-Sylhet route following a persistent technical failure.
The Capacity Deficit and Grounded Fleet
The disruption stems from the grounding of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which has been out of service since 3 April. This specific aircraft, a cornerstone of Biman’s long-haul fleet, has a capacity of 298 passengers. To maintain the schedule, the national carrier has been forced to substitute the aircraft with the smaller 787-8 series, which accommodates only 271 travellers. This 27-seat deficit has resulted in approximately 25 to 30 passengers being "offloaded" from every flight over the past week, creating a backlog that is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
Escalating Costs and Operational Failures
Compounding the frustration is the premium price point of the national carrier. Passengers have noted that tickets for the London-Dhaka-Sylhet corridor are currently retailing for approximately £200 more than those offered by competitors, such as Saudi Arabian Airlines. Despite these higher fares, service reliability has plummeted. While airline officials claim that passengers are notified of rescheduling in advance, many expatriates lack local contact numbers, leading to chaotic scenes at Osmani International Airport as families arrive only to be turned away.
Economic Impact on Diaspora and Trade
The timing of the mechanical failure is particularly damaging, coinciding with the end of the school holiday period and the conclusion of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. For the UK-based Bangladeshi diaspora, many of whom are subject to strict employment and school attendance schedules, these delays represent significant professional and personal risks. Furthermore, the disruption has hit the agricultural sector; passengers travelling with perishable goods and commercial vegetable exports have reported that their cargo is rotting at the airport due to the repeated delays, leading to substantial financial losses.
Engineering Deadlock and Future Outlook
Engineers in Dhaka are currently working to rectify the unspecified technical fault, but there is no confirmed timeline for when the 787-9 will return to the skies. With the Manchester route currently suspended, there are no internal alternatives for Biman to reroute the stranded passengers. A senior official told journalists that the pressure on ground staff has become overwhelming, as they struggle to explain the indefinite nature of the delays to increasingly agitated travellers. Until the Dreamliner is cleared for takeoff, the daily cycle of offloading is expected to continue, further damaging the airline’s reputation during its most profitable season.
