Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to recruit 40 pilots and 100 cabin crew as part of a larger drive to bolster its workforce, including the addition of 38 new officers across various departments.
Additionally, the airline may reappoint select retired officers with commendable records on a contractual basis, sources reveal.
Plans are also in place to hire 90 assistants for the airline’s traffic department, bringing the total recruitment to over 300 personnel.
At present, Biman faces a significant shortage of pilots, which has disrupted regular flight operations.
This shortfall hinders efforts to introduce new routes or increase flight frequency on existing profitable routes, despite demand. The airline’s cabin crew requirements are also pressing, with shortages persisting for some time.
Currently, Biman employs 186 pilots, though operational needs demand around 250—leaving a deficit of over 60 pilots.
An anonymous pilot indicated a declining interest in Biman roles among pilots, primarily due to a lack of competitive financial packages.
While Biman acknowledges this concern, it maintains that financial incentives are not the only factor at play, citing other underlying issues.
The pilot recruitment process within Biman is described as complex, with multiple vested interests complicating matters. The airline employs a mix of permanent, contractual, and other recruitment pathways for pilots, which adds layers to the hiring mechanism.
Biman’s newly appointed Managing Director and CEO Shafiqul Rahman asserted that the new management’s priority is to restore professionalism within the airline—a long-standing demand for enhancing Biman’s reputation.
He underscored that Biman’s current operational crisis stems from a shortage of skilled personnel, prompting the management to initiate a comprehensive hiring process across departments.
The new management is also working to instil discipline within Biman’s operational practices.
For instance, in ticket reservations, strict monitoring ensures that no seats are blocked and that every seat on each flight remains available online.
Additionally, Biman has introduced improvements in baggage handling, with a focus on timely delivery at the luggage belt.
To curb baggage theft, robust security measures have been implemented, extending to the airline’s Flight Catering Centre to ensure safety and compliance.
