Mashiur Rahaman

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has cut down flight frequencies to 12 out of 18 destinations in the 'Winter Flight Schedule,' announced on October 25, when foreign airliners have increased their flights, sources said.

The national flag carrier had to reduce flights mainly to the migrant worker-intensive Middle East and South-East Asian destinations due to shortage of aircraft, source within the Biman's flight planning department told the FE.

"We had to cut down our flights as Biman failed to acquire leased aircraft on time," a Biman official said requesting anonymity.

The Biman is yet to receive an Airbus and two Boeing 737s on lease. Biman now operates with four DC-10s, two airbuses and two F-28 aircraft. Among the four DC-10s, only three are operational.

"With this fleet, it is very difficult to maintain schedules of 50 flights per week to 18 international destinations," the official added.

According to the winter flight schedule, per-week flight to Singapore has been cut to three from seven. Similarly, frequency to Kuala Lumpur has been reduced to three from seven per week, from four to two to Mascat, from four to two to Abu Dhabi, from four to two to Dubai, from three to one to Karachi and from six to five to Riyadh.

Besides, Biman's flight to Delhi and Bangkok remained suspended since June 2009.

However, number of flights to London, Paris and Jeddah remained unchanged, according to the winter schedule. .

Passenger air service providers like the Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airlines, Kuwait Airways and Malaysian Airlines have almost doubled their flight frequencies within the last five years.

Moreover, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Air India and Sri Lankan Airlines have also increased their flight frequencies to Bangladesh, connecting Middle East and European destinations.

The Winter Flight Schedule expires in March 2010.