Print: 29 Oct 2025
Photo: Daily Sun
State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines reported an unaudited profit of Tk937 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the highest in its 55-year history.
In a statement on Monday, the national flag carrier hailed the profit as a milestone since its 1972 founding, attributing it to efficient resource management, strategic planning, and enhanced passenger services.
However, the airline has not disclosed how much it still owes Padma Oil for the jet fuel it purchased.
According to Padma Oil, Biman Bangladesh Airlines owes around Tk2,100 crore for jet fuel purchases, yet the airline has still reported a profit.
Padma Oil, a subsidiary of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), is the sole supplier of jet fuel in Bangladesh.
A senior BPC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Sun that as of the latest accounts in June, Biman Bangladesh Airlines owes Padma Oil Tk2,100 crore. While some of this debt may have been repaid, the outstanding amount remains at no less than Tk2,000 crore.
Biman, however, expressed gratitude to its customers for their continued trust and support.
Biman’s previous record profit was Tk440 crore in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The airline has maintained a profit-making trend in recent years, reporting Tk158 crore in 2020-21, Tk28 crore in 2022-23, and Tk282 crore in 2023-24.
However, aviation experts confirmed that Biman has consistently reported profits without settling its jet fuel dues.
Aviation expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said Biman’s reported profits cannot be considered genuine, as the airline lacks transparency in presenting its business details.
“Biman’s profit cannot truly be considered a profit, as the airline owes hundreds of crores of taka to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Padma Oil, a BPC subsidiary,” he told the Daily Sun.
Recalling its start in 1972 with just Tk1.9 crore in revenue, Biman said it has gradually grown from a postwar startup with limited resources into a modern, competitive airline. Biman reported revenue of Tk11,631 crore in 2024-25, surpassing Tk10,000 crore for the first time.
Over its 55 years of operation, the national flag carrier said it has posted a profit in 26 of those years.
During the fiscal year, the airline operated 21 aircraft, 19 of which it owns. Its fleet includes four Boeing 787-8s and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, touted as state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient.
Biman highlighted its in-house maintenance capabilities, from routine checks to major inspections, as a key driver in reducing costs.
Passenger traffic hit a record 3.4 million in 2024-25. The airline carried 43,918 tonnes of cargo and increased its cabin factor to 82%, a sharp rise from the previous year.
In January 2025, Biman recorded its highest ticket sales in history.
The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]
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Biman posts record profit despite jet fuel dues
Photo: Daily Sun
State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines reported an unaudited profit of Tk937 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the highest in its 55-year history.
In a statement on Monday, the national flag carrier hailed the profit as a milestone since its 1972 founding, attributing it to efficient resource management, strategic planning, and enhanced passenger services.
However, the airline has not disclosed how much it still owes Padma Oil for the jet fuel it purchased.
According to Padma Oil, Biman Bangladesh Airlines owes around Tk2,100 crore for jet fuel purchases, yet the airline has still reported a profit.
Padma Oil, a subsidiary of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), is the sole supplier of jet fuel in Bangladesh.
A senior BPC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Sun that as of the latest accounts in June, Biman Bangladesh Airlines owes Padma Oil Tk2,100 crore. While some of this debt may have been repaid, the outstanding amount remains at no less than Tk2,000 crore.
Biman, however, expressed gratitude to its customers for their continued trust and support.
Biman’s previous record profit was Tk440 crore in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The airline has maintained a profit-making trend in recent years, reporting Tk158 crore in 2020-21, Tk28 crore in 2022-23, and Tk282 crore in 2023-24.
However, aviation experts confirmed that Biman has consistently reported profits without settling its jet fuel dues.
Aviation expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said Biman’s reported profits cannot be considered genuine, as the airline lacks transparency in presenting its business details.
“Biman’s profit cannot truly be considered a profit, as the airline owes hundreds of crores of taka to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Padma Oil, a BPC subsidiary,” he told the Daily Sun.
Recalling its start in 1972 with just Tk1.9 crore in revenue, Biman said it has gradually grown from a postwar startup with limited resources into a modern, competitive airline. Biman reported revenue of Tk11,631 crore in 2024-25, surpassing Tk10,000 crore for the first time.
Over its 55 years of operation, the national flag carrier said it has posted a profit in 26 of those years.
During the fiscal year, the airline operated 21 aircraft, 19 of which it owns. Its fleet includes four Boeing 787-8s and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, touted as state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient.
Biman highlighted its in-house maintenance capabilities, from routine checks to major inspections, as a key driver in reducing costs.
Passenger traffic hit a record 3.4 million in 2024-25. The airline carried 43,918 tonnes of cargo and increased its cabin factor to 82%, a sharp rise from the previous year.
In January 2025, Biman recorded its highest ticket sales in history.
The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]