Government to Sign Airbus Deal by August 31; Biman to Add 10 New Aircraft
Bangladesh will sign a deal with Airbus by August 31 to procure 10 aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2031 under the government's mixed-fleet strategy.
As part of the government's mixed-fleet strategy, national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to acquire 10 Airbus aircraft from the European aerospace manufacturer. The government is expected to sign the final purchase agreement with Airbus by August 31, while the new aircraft will be inducted into Biman's fleet in phases starting from 2031.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat confirmed the development on Tuesday (July 21).
He said details regarding pricing, financing and contractual terms would be disclosed after the agreement is signed, adding that the negotiations are being conducted with Bangladesh's national and commercial interests as the top priority.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) said adopting a mixed-fleet strategy would increase competition in future aircraft procurement and reduce dependence on a single manufacturer.
Earlier, Biman decided to procure 14 Boeing aircraft worth approximately US$3.7 billion, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Sources involved in the negotiations said Airbus subsequently intensified its engagement by offering four A350-900 wide-body and six A321neo narrow-body aircraft.
To advance the proposal, Airbus Vice President Edward Delahaye recently met with Bangladesh's Civil Aviation Minister, State Minister and senior Biman officials in Dhaka. The proposal was also discussed during meetings involving senior diplomats from the European Union and several European countries.
Under the proposal, the A350-900 aircraft will primarily serve long-haul international routes, while the A321neo fleet will be deployed on regional, Gulf and medium-haul Asian routes.
Once implemented, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus, marking a significant transformation in the airline's fleet management strategy.
The government is currently reviewing a long-term roadmap to expand Biman's fleet to 47 aircraft by FY2034-35, aiming to modernize the national carrier, expand international connectivity and position Bangladesh as a regional passenger and cargo aviation hub.
Last week, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam reiterated that Bangladesh requires aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus. She said procurement decisions would continue to be guided by the country's economic interests rather than a preference for any particular nation.
//DBTech/SAE/SME//
