Md. Tarek; Dbarta24 – In a historic move toward modernizing its national carrier, the Bangladesh government is set to sign an agreement with European aerospace giant Airbus to purchase 10 new commercial aircraft.
State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Airbus will officially seal the deal during a signing ceremony titled “Spreading Our Wings Together” at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday.
This deal marks a major strategic shift for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which has historically relied almost exclusively on American manufacturer Boeing for its long-haul operations. Neither Biman nor Airbus has publicly disclosed the financial terms of the procurement.
Fleet Breakdown and Strategic Allocation
Under the proposed agreement, Biman will acquire two distinct aircraft types to serve both its intercontinental and regional routes:
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4 Wide-Body A350-900 Aircraft: Intended for high-demand, long-haul international routes to enhance passenger capacity and fuel efficiency.
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6 Narrow-Body A321neo Aircraft: Designated for regional and medium-haul destinations, optimizing operational costs on high-frequency routes.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, deliveries for the Airbus order are expected to begin in 2033 and extend through 2036 or 2037.
Broader Modernization: 25 Additional Boeing Jets on Order
The agreement with Airbus complements a major fleet expansion strategy announced earlier this year, during which Biman secured deals for 25 aircraft from Boeing across two phases:
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First Phase (April 30): A $3.7 billion agreement (approximately BDT 45,408 crore) for 14 aircraft, consisting of eight 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 jets.
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Second Phase (September 23): An agreement signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York for 11 additional aircraft, including five 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8 MAX jets.
Deliveries for the Boeing orders are scheduled to begin in 2031, spanning an 11 to 12-year window. The Ministry confirmed that payments are structured on a per-delivery basis, requiring no immediate upfront capital outlays, though Biman has requested early delivery of at least one aircraft by 2027 or 2028.
Current Operations and Long-Term Outlook
Biman currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft (14 Boeing models and 5 Dash-8 turboprops). However, two of these aircraft are nearing the end of their operational lifespans, and the remaining 17 are expected to be phased out over the coming years.
Biman’s repeated attempts to lease 10 temporary aircraft to cover short-term operational gaps have yet to yield results.
Once deliveries from both Airbus (10) and Boeing (25) are complete, Biman will add 35 new aircraft—19 wide-body and 16 narrow-body jets—bringing its total operational fleet to over 50 aircraft.
For the first time in its history, the national flag carrier will operate a dual-manufacturer fleet combining European and American aviation technology.