Bangladesh, Nov. 10 -- The figures appeared in the ministry's Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report. The airline earned LKR 82.8 billion in revenue during the period, up from LKR 62.6 billion a year earlier.

Expenditure, however, climbed 40.4% to LKR 95.2 billion from LKR 67.8 billion. The report attributed the sharp increase mainly to a 93% rise in aviation fuel costs, linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

As a result, the carrier recorded an estimated operating loss of LKR 12.5 billion for the quarter. Foreign exchange-related pressures further weighed on its financial performance.

The ministry also pointed to structural weaknesses, liquidity constraints, high maintenance costs, and heavy debt obligations as key challenges to...