Biman MD calls it quits

Kyle Haywood

Kyle Haywood yesterday resigned as the Biman Bangladesh Airlines managing director and chief executive officer after serving a year at the helm of the national flag carrier.

British national Haywood, who now is now on leave, tendered his resignation via email to the chairman of Biman Board of Directors.

"So far as I know, Kyle expressed his inability to continue as the MD and CEO of Biman, citing health grounds," Biman's acting MD Wing Commander (retd) MM Asaduzzaman told The Daily Star.

On January 5 last year, Haywood took over the helm of Biman as the second foreigner to do so after Kevin Steele.

Before the expiry of his tenure on January 4, his job was extended for another year, Biman officials said.

Haywood in the email said before his contract was extended, he had set some conditions, including an increase in his salary and other perks, but the Biman board did not agree, according to sources in the civil aviation and tourism ministry.

"Since his conditions were not entertained and he could not give enough time to his family, he has written that he will not continue his service," said a ministry official who had read the email.

Biman sources said Haywood's relationship with the Biman board had gone south over payment of his salary.

"During his one year tenure, he was either on leave or absent for roughly 150 days. For this, the board did not allow him to draw the full salary which irked him," said a top Biman official, wishing anonymity.

According to the official, Haywood told them that he was frustrated as he had no freedom to make decisions and implement them and major decisions were always imposed on him.

Kevin Steele shared similar frustration with this correspondent before leaving the country.

Haywood's poor health might be another factor for his quitting the job, Biman officials said.

Asked about his performance, a number of Biman officials said Haywood, unlike Steele, failed to bring about any noteworthy change in Biman.

One official, however, thinks his work "had class" but his health did not let him show his best.

"Kyle's refusal to continue his service is really unfortunate, especially since new aircraft are joining the Biman fleet now," said the official.

Haywood's resignation came just two days before the official commissioning of two new Boeing 737-800 planes.

The prime minister is scheduled to attend the event.

With the latest inclusions, Biman now has 14 aircraft in its fleet -- four Boeing 777-300ERs, two Boeing 777-200ERs, two Airbus A-310s, four Boeing 737-800s and two Bombardier DASH-8 Q-400s.

Biman made a profit of Tk 272.23 crore in the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Officials attributed the profit to the huge slump in the fuel price, a fleet of new aircraft and carrying hajj prilgrims with Biman's own planes.