Biman operates international flights with 23 per cent seats

State-run airlines sold a minor number of tickets (4.5 percent) through their websites.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director (MD) Shafiul Azeem told Prothom Allo that Biman sold tickets against 77 per cent of the total seats, while they had a target of selling 74 per cent seats. The officials, in many cases, have to keep some seats vacant for load balancing and other technical issues.

Along with this, there is also a question that on what basis the airlines authority fixed the cabin factor at 74 per cent. A former Biman official said on condition of anonymity that the fleet now has more new generation aircraft than before. Therefore the aim should be higher.

Kazi Wahidul Alam, a former member of the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, told Prothom Alo that other airlines operating flights from Dhaka consider 10 to 15 per cent empty seats as ‘standard’ (acceptable) in the current context. As Biman operates flights to high demand destinations, the 23 per cent vacancy is a matter of concern.

He said that responsible officials of other airlines usually face questions when a large number of seats remain vacant for a destination. But this practice of accountability is not visible in the aircraft.

He said that the officials responsible for the vacant seats should be held accountable.

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