New Biman Bangladesh Airlines chief has set a target of increasing the national flag carrier's annual turnover to $1 billion from $700 million.

Biman Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Md Zahid Hossain wants to make the airline profitable with business expansion, new strategies, and satisfactory passenger services.

Zahid said this at his first press briefing as Biman chief in Dhaka Thursday.

About Biman's poor customer service, the MD said: "We will do what it takes to establish Biman as a commercial enterprise, and offer satisfactory passenger services."

Regarding the losses that Biman incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, Zahid said the national carrier is now in a better position as many airlines across the world had to shut down during that time.

"Biman transported 22 lakh passengers last year. We hope to carry 30 lakh passengers this year. Around 80 lakh Bangladeshis now live abroad; they want to travel through Biman. We want to serve them," he added.

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About Biman's Toronto flights, the MD said the carrier will calculate the profits and losses once the travel season is over. "We've found access to North America via Toronto. If this flight becomes successful, we'll be able to enter the US market."

Regarding corruption allegations in Biman's pilot recruitment, Zahid said the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating the claims of irregularities and they will extend their full support to the anti-corruption watchdog.

Before joining as the MD and CEO of Biman on July 13, Additional Secretary Zahid served as the director (administration and human resources) of the national flag carrier.