Reporter Name 
Padma Oil is the only jet fuel supplier in the country. It is a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). According to the company’s latest financial accounts as of June this year, it owes Biman Bangladesh Airlines Tk 2,100 crore as arrears for jet fuel sales.
Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced a record profit of Tk 937 crore in the outgoing fiscal 2024-25, despite having a debt of more than Tk 2,000 crore to Padma Oil.
The state-owned airline is calling this year’s profit as the highest profit in Biman’s 55-year history however adding confusion. Its profit can be said a gross profit at best, not net profit without settling over-dues.
The profit was announced in a press release signed by Biman Bangladesh Airlines General Manager (Public Relations) ABM Rowshan Kabir on Monday.
Padma Oil and BPC officials and employees were “shocked” by the disclosure about Biman’s record profit, although they did not immediately give any official reaction to Biman’s claim.
A senior BPC official, who did not want to be named, said according to last June business calculations, they will receive about 2100 crore taka from Biman Bangladesh Airlines for the sale of jet fuel.
Biman paid some dues in July. Even then, the amount of over dues will be more than Tk 2000 crore. Biman has declared profit without paying this amount of debt.
Biman’s press release said the national flag carrier Biman has set a unique record in its 55-year history by earning an unaudited profit of Tk 937 crore in fiscal 2024-25.
According to the company’s information, before 2024-25 fiscal, the second highest profit in the history of Biman was earned in 2021-22 fiscal, which amounted to Tk 440 crore.
The press release further stated that in fiscal 2024-25, Biman’s passenger traffic reached 3.4 million, cargo traffic 43,918 tonnes and cabin factor increased to 82 percent, which is a significant increase compared to the previous year.
In addition, Biman achieved the record ticket sales in its history in January 2025, which is a reflection of Biman’s growing popularity in the market and passenger confidence. Faster baggage delivery, improved in-flight services and modernization of airport processes have increased passenger satisfaction.
In addition, the release stated that Biman has consistently maintained a commendable safety record by strictly following international safety standards though a record number of flight malfunction occurred in the past months to ground many in-flight planes.
