Biman to cut airfares further: Minister

The government plans to lower airfares on Biman Bangladesh Airlines further if the national flag carrier can increase revenue by expanding and fully restoring its international routes, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said on Sunday.

The government is considering further reductions in ticket prices while ensuring that Biman remains financially sustainable, the minister told Parliament in response to questions from lawmakers.

Replying to a supplementary question from ruling party lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan, Millat said Biman had initially charged around Tk200,000 for air tickets for Hajj pilgrims, but the fare was later reduced to around Tk165,000 by the interim government.

“We calculated the airfare at up to Tk154,000 during the last Hajj. This year, through dynamic pricing, we have brought it down to Tk130,000,” he said.

The minister said further reductions could be considered depending on Biman’s aircraft procurement plans and the reopening or full operation of its routes.

“If our routes are fully operational, our revenue will increase. In that case, we will consider reducing airfares,” Millat said.

He added that Biman’s fares would be set in line with prevailing practices among other airlines.

“We will determine our ticket prices keeping pace with how other airlines operate,” he said.

The minister also addressed concerns over high domestic airfares, particularly for passengers buying tickets shortly before departure.

Responding to a supplementary question from opposition lawmaker Md Mujibur Rahman of Rajshahi-1, Millat said the actual fare on the Dhaka-Chattogram route was around Tk6,400, rather than Tk12,000 as claimed by the lawmaker.

Passengers, however, also have to pay around 15 percent in taxes and other applicable charges, he said.

Millat said the government had taken measures to prevent ticket manipulation and black-market sales, particularly close to flight departure times.

“We will ensure that passengers can purchase tickets at the officially determined prices,” he said.

“I can assure you that, inshallah, you will never have to buy this ticket at a higher price. You will be able to purchase it at the price that is fixed,” he told Parliament.

The minister said the government was working to make air travel more affordable while maintaining Biman’s financial sustainability.

The planned fare reductions come as the government seeks to expand Biman’s route network and strengthen the airline’s revenue base, which could provide greater scope for more competitive fares in the future.