Unfortunately, palliatives like rooting out corruption are only part of the solution. Wholesale reforms are needed at almost every level: beginning from trimming bloated employment roles, replacing incompetent management and the lack of a sensible business plan.

And given the financial dire straits the airline is in, it is in no condition to purchase new aircraft even though it desperately needs them. The best short-term solution, in my opinion, is for Biman to park its entire DC-10 fleet and lease modern Airbus or Boeing aircraft for its long-haul fleet. Biman should also explore leasing short-haul aircraft to ply domestic and regional routes.

Only when Biman has returned to a sound financial footing should it consider purchasing aircraft.