Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG, Dhaka) is being investigated by a parliamentary sub-committee over problems with aircraft leased from EgyptAir (MS, Cairo International), reports The Financial Express.
The parliamentary inquiry is to look into why two aircraft dry-leased from EgyptAir in 2014 have spent so much time on the ground. Biman Bangladesh leased two B777-200(ER)s from EgyptAir in 2014 – S2-AHK (msn 32629) and S2-AHL (msn 32630) – for a five-year contract worth USD35.1 million. According to FlightRadar24 ADS-B data, the former aircraft remains in active service, but the latter has been out of action since mid-December 2016 and is currently undergoing maintenance at Dhaka. The Dhaka Tribune cites an anonymous source who says that the two EgyptAir aircraft were grounded at least twenty times last year due to problems with their engines. Under the lease agreement, the engines should be replaced by EgyptAir, but the source says this process is lengthy. In the meantime, Biman continues to pay for the aircraft.
Two other of Biman's aircraft have also recently been grounded, causing major delays and cancellations of flights throughout March, and these incidents are also to be investigated. One B777-300(ER) was grounded at Dammam for four weeks as it underwent repairs for engine damage caused by a bird strike. The other aircraft grounded was an B737-800 which underwent a C-check in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.
The parliamentary committee is to finalise its report within two weeks.
