Staff Correspondent:

State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines has reported an unaudited profit of Tk 9.37 billion for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The national carrier has described the figure as a milestone in its 55-year history.

In a statement on Monday, the airline said the profit marked a “unique” record since its founding in 1972.

The carrier credited the achievement to what it described as efficient resource management, effective strategy and improvements in passenger services, while thanking travellers and customers for their trust and support.

The company said the previous second-highest profit in its history came in 2021-22, when it earned Tk 4.4 billion.

Biman noted that it began operations in 1972 with revenue of just Tk 19 million, gradually evolving from the limited resources of postwar Bangladesh into a modern, competitive airline.

According to the airline, revenue in the 2024-25 fiscal year amounted to Tk 116.31 billion.

In the previous year, Biman said, it surpassed the Tk 100 billion revenue mark for the first time.

The airline said that over its 55-year history, it has turned a profit on 26 different years.

Biman said it operated a fleet of 21 aircraft during the 2024-25 fiscal year, 19 of which it owns outright.

These include four Boeing 787-8s and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which the company described as state-of-the-art and fuel efficient.

The airline pointed to its in-house fleet maintenance capabilities, covering everything from line maintenance to major inspections as a key factor in reducing costs.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Biman said it carried 3.4 million passengers, transported 43,918 tonnes of cargo and raised its cabin factor to 82 per cent, a significant improvement from the previous year.

The company also reported that in January 2025, it achieved the highest ticket sales in its history.

It credited faster baggage delivery, improved in-flight services and modernised airport processes with boosting passenger satisfaction.

Looking ahead, Biman said its plans include expanding routes to new destinations, investing in digital transformation of services and strengthening cargo operations.

The airline also reiterated its ambition to become a leading South Asian carrier by focusing on world-class service, reliability and safety while maintaining its role as a symbol of national pride.