I was on a flight of Biman from Dhaka to Bangkok on 28 February when BG388 experienced a sudden drop in cabin pressure over the airspace of Myanmar. The pilot decided to bring the aircraft down to 10,000 feet from 30,000 feet in the sky. Unhygienic oxygen masks were deployed from ceiling of the aircraft which made for an uncomfortable breathing experience as the plane went through an emergency diversion. The aircraft turned back to Dhaka where passengers were stranded for four hours. Insufficient drinking water was given to the stranded passengers. There was hardly any information or updates forthcoming from the staff of Biman. The airline released a press statement on 1 March with no apology for the inconvenience caused to the passengers of the flight.

It turns out that my experience with BG388 was the second technical crisis faced by Biman's fleet in the span of a week. Earlier on 20 February, a Dubai-bound flight of Biman had to make an emergency landing in the Indian city of Nagpur due to a technical failure mid-air. The repeated technical glitches on Biman aircraft raises serious questions about aircraft maintenance. These incidents are part of a larger pattern of frequent technical malfunctions, emergency landings, and pilot health concerns which expose a problematic lack of maintenance and oversight. Despite repeated failures, the airline has done little to reassure passengers regarding the safety and integrity of its fleet.

2024 was dubbed the 'year of emergency landings' for Biman. Out of the five emergency landings of Biman aircraft last year, three emergency landings were due to technical glitches, including cracks appearing on the windshield of a Biman plane on a flight from Chattogram to Abu Dhabi. The increasing incidents of technical glitches is a cause of grave concern for Biman's safety record. In addition to Biman's appalling reputation for flight delays and lack of hygiene onboard aircraft, a decline in the quality of aircraft maintenance poses serious questions about the future viability of Biman as the national airline. Repeated technical problems should raise the alarm bells.

Experts are cautioning that these incidents should invite regulatory intervention. Biman has not undertaken any substantial reforms. Unless Biman brings about reform, the national airline risks not only its reputation but also the lives of passengers aboard its troubled fleet. Biman needs a strong and capable technical support staff. Biman also needs to work on its customer care strategy, particularly in the context of prolonged flight delays. Urgent attention is needed on the matter of aircraft safety. Biman's fleet must undergo a thorough inspection to ensure the airworthiness of its planes. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) should hire competent inspectors for checking aircraft. Inspections must be carried out regularly by technicians to ensure the highest standards of maintenance and safety. Doing so is imperative for the existence of Biman as the national airline.