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Biman still limping

24 November 2004, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Syyed Fyyaz Husyn Mohammadpur, Dhaka
24 November 2004, 18:00 PM
When we talk about competition, it is imperative to think of better service at a better price. The one who can provide this eventually survives and overcomes the hostility of competition. Better price does not necessarily mean cheap price. The price should be worth the services or products being provided. Competition always benefits the customers. It does not only give them bigger arrays of choice but also they are being supplied or educated with the information about the facilities they may get from what they spend. This makes the customers more demanding and difficult to attract. The airline industry is not an exception. Over the last decade, airlines have gone through tough competition and many big airlines where forced to shut down. To beat the heat of competition many airlines formed alliances and enhanced the quality of their services tremendously.

Biman neither formed any alliances nor improved their services; rather they have substantially reduced their quality and facility to provide cheap fare to face the competition. It has chosen an old age method, totally ignoring the trend and demand of international travellers. It seems that the basis of their policy was fully based on carrying workers in and out of the country. And by doing so it became a substandard airline at the expense of poor tax payers.

As a national carrier carrying passengers or making money should not be its sole objective. It is a symbol of national prestige. Wherever it goes it carries the flag of Bangladesh. Its policies and decisions should be made keeping in mind the national issue. I believe so far Biman has created a very negative image of Bangladesh wherever it has flown.

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