Biman taking steps after spate of flight glitches on recent flights

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced a series of immediate and long-term measures in response to the recent recurrence of mechanical faults in several of its flights.

 “Biman authorities are giving the highest priority to maintaining passenger safety and service quality, ensuring a full investigation and accountability for every incident," said the airline in a press release on Tuesday.

In recent weeks, several Biman flights have faced technical glitches, with Boeing aircraft being the most affected, reports bdnews24.com.

The latest incident occurred on Aug 11, when a Dash-8 Q400 aircraft on the Dhaka-Chattogram route suffered a mechanical failure.

In response to these events, the press release stated that an investigation has already been ordered for a toilet flush incident on a Dhaka-Abu Dhabi flight.

A four-strong high-powered probe committee has been formed to conduct a detailed review of the technical problems that occurred from Jul 1 to Aug 13.

The committee will examine flight-wise maintenance records and operational processes to identify root causes. It will also determine whether any negligence or oversight by officials or staff contributed to the issues, and assign responsibility accordingly.

The panel will provide recommendations to prevent recurrence and submit its report within 10 working days.

The statement noted that personnel management has already been adjusted as part of ensuring accountability. Two officers have been reassigned, with more changes under consideration.

One engineering officer has been punitively transferred, while another in Chattogram has been served a show-cause notice.

To increase its technical capacity, Biman has arranged to stock extra wheels at multiple outstations -- such as Jeddah, Dubai, Madinah, Dammam, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah -- so that wheels can be replaced quickly in case of emergencies. Purchase orders have already been placed to procure the necessary wheels.

Furthermore, the Director of Flight Operations has been instructed to investigate the incident of a tyre burst in Jeddah. The national flag carrier also stated that direct supervision has been strengthened under the direct oversight of the Director of Engineering and Material Management and the chief engineers.

Moreover, a special night-time maintenance shift was introduced on Aug 18 to provide round-the-clock supervision.

Biman’s inventory management system is also undergoing a comprehensive review. As part of this, discussions are underway with Boeing to revise the Component Services Programme (CSP) list.

Simultaneously, spare parts stocks are being realigned in line with the Recommended Spare Parts List (RSPL). A Tailored Part Package (TPP), based on actual usage data, is also under consideration.

The statement also said that recurrent training programmes for Biman engineers have already commenced. To enhance long-term capability, a new recruitment process for apprentice mechanics has begun, designed to expand technical manpower and strengthen in-house expertise.