Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided in principle to purchase 14 aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing, opting out of European rival Airbus, in a major move aimed at fleet expansion and modernisation.
The decision was taken at the national flag carrier’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, who also serves as chairman of Biman’s board of directors.
Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Bosra Islam told BSS that the board has given principal approval for the purchase, subject to price negotiations and other terms in line with recommendations from the airline’s techno-finance committee.
Under the approved plan, Biman will procure eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft.
Officials said the interim government had earlier pledged to buy aircraft from Boeing as part of efforts to reduce Bangladesh’s trade deficit with the United States. After further evaluation and scrutiny, Biman finalised the decision in favour of the US manufacturer.
Board members noted that the move was driven by the need to boost aviation capacity, strengthen international connectivity and meet growing passenger and cargo demand in the coming years.
Discussions at the meeting also highlighted that the new aircraft would open opportunities to expand operations across both state-run and commercial sectors once they are inducted into the fleet.
Sources said the final contract with Boeing will be signed after completing all required approvals and financial procedures, with aircraft deliveries to take place in phases.
Earlier, European aircraft maker Airbus had actively lobbied for the deal, with ambassadors from the European Union and several countries engaging in diplomatic efforts to promote Airbus aircraft to Biman. Those efforts, however, did not succeed.
Officials explained that the Boeing 787 Dreamliners are wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul international routes, while the Boeing 737-8 is a narrow-body jet typically used for short-haul regional and domestic services.
The addition of the new aircraft is expected to significantly expand Biman’s fleet capacity and route network. The decision also marks a key step in modernising the airline’s fleet and is expected to strengthen aviation ties between Bangladesh and the United States, while supporting both passenger and cargo operations as the country looks to expand its global air connectivity.
Source: BSS