Biman Bangladesh Airlines has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing Tk900 crore in monthly sales for the first time in its history.
This achievement reflects a year of exceptional growth driven by strategic initiatives and the dedicated efforts of the national carrier’s workforce.
According to an internal report, November 2024 marked a defining moment for Biman, with total sales reaching Tk908 crore, excluding Hajj operations.
The report also highlighted that Hajj operations contributed Tk823 crore in revenue this year. Additionally, the airline's revenue for October stood at Tk817 crore, a significant improvement compared to November 2023, which recorded sales of Tk633 crore.
The report attributes the increase in sales to the airline's ongoing efforts to combat corruption and reduce irregularities.
Biman's management said that strong measures have been implemented to curb ticket black-marketing, a move that has significantly boosted revenue. These measures have made ticket purchasing more accessible for passengers, resulting in increased revenue for the airline.
The Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) channel remains Biman’s largest revenue contributor, with consistent growth from Tk400 crore in June 2024 to Tk715 crore in November 2024—a 79% increase over six months.
Similarly, online sales, which include total collections such as taxes, fees, and charges, have risen steadily, increasing from Tk37 crore in June 2024 to Tk52 crore in November 2024, representing a 40% growth. This reflects Biman's growing focus on digital engagement.
The report also noted that the Counter channel (in-person sales), which includes both issue and collection amounts, demonstrated slower yet steady growth. Sales rose from Tk80 crore in June 2024 to Tk85 crore in November 2024, a modest 6% increase.
The Cargo segment performed well despite some fluctuations. While sales peaked at Tk82 crore in September 2024, they dipped to Tk56 crore in November. However, compared to June 2024, Cargo sales have increased overall, contributing to the airline's diverse revenue streams.
Hajj operations in 2024 played a significant role in the airline's revenue, contributing Tk823 crore, with Counter Hajj sales accounting for Tk53 crore.
The report further noted that Biman holds a 22% market share in Bangladesh’s aviation sector, while foreign carriers dominate the remaining 78%.
In the 2023-24 fiscal year, Biman transported 3.4 million passengers, up from 3.3 million in 2022-23 and 2.3 million in 2022, showcasing the airline's expanding reach and improved services.
Additionally, according to Biman’s director and auditors' report, the airline posted a net profit of Tk282 crore as of June 2024.
Despite this success, challenges remain. Routes like Manchester (MAN) and Narita (NRT) have faced sustained losses, with operations to Manchester already terminated and services to Narita under review.
Over the past decade, Biman has recorded total losses of approximately Tk1,500 crore and profits of about Tk1,000 crore. The airline's total debt currently stands at around Tk14,000 crore.
Historically, Biman was profitable between 1991-92 and 2003-04 and also made profits in 2007 and 2008 under the military-backed caretaker government. However, the airline experienced losses from 2009-10 to 2013-14 before returning to profitability for three years. It incurred losses again in 2017-18 but rebounded with a profit of Tk272 crore in 2018-19, only to record a net loss of Tk81 crore in 2019-20 and a profit of Tk158 crore in 2020-21.
A senior official, speaking anonymously to Dhaka Tribune, said: “Biman’s profitability is a result of efficient management and strategic initiatives.”
Looking ahead, the official expressed optimism about continued growth, citing the airline's focus on cost optimization and combating ticket black-marketing.
Biman Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman said: “We remain committed to strengthening high-performing routes and expanding services across all categories to sustain this positive momentum.”
