$1.5 billion fleet expansion to strengthen aviation technology and international connectivity
US-Bangla to Add 21 Boeing Aircraft
- Twenty-one Boeing aircraft to join the fleet
- Major investment in aviation infrastructure
- International routes and MRO capabilities to expand
US-Bangla Airlines has announced plans to add 21 new Boeing aircraft to its fleet as part of its strategy to help transform Bangladesh into a regional aviation hub. Under a lease programme worth approximately US$1.5 billion, the airline will induct 15 Boeing 737-8 and six Boeing 737-800 aircraft in phases by 2027.
The announcement was made at the “Beyond With Boeing: Powering the Next Chapter of Aviation” event held at Hotel Sheraton, Banani, in the presence of State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister's Adviser on Civil Aviation and Tourism Humayun Kabir, Chief Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Boeing Vice President Paul Rigih, and Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, Managing Director of US-Bangla Group and US-Bangla Airlines.
In his keynote remarks, M. Rashiduzzaman Millat congratulated US-Bangla on entering its 13th year, saying the airline has grown from a domestic carrier into one of Bangladesh's leading private airlines.
He said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working to establish Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub through a comprehensive Aviation Master Plan, which will guide the sustainable and modern development of the country's civil aviation sector over the coming decades.
He added that investment-friendly policies will encourage greater private sector participation, creating new investment opportunities and employment in the aviation industry.
U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen said the Boeing leasing initiative represents not only fleet expansion but also a long-term investment in Bangladesh's economy, regional connectivity, tourism, trade and high-quality employment.
Paul Rigih, Vice President of Boeing, said the addition of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft marks a new phase of growth for US-Bangla and reflects Boeing's confidence in Bangladesh's aviation sector and the airline's commitment to enhancing passenger services.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, Managing Director of US-Bangla Group and US-Bangla Airlines, said nearly 70 percent of Bangladesh's international air passengers are currently carried by foreign airlines. The expanded fleet will strengthen the capacity of local airlines on international routes and help retain a significant portion of foreign currency within the country.
He said the airline plans to increase frequencies across South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Middle East while launching services to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Colombo, Kathmandu, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kunming, Shenzhen, Beijing, South Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Madinah, Dammam and Salalah.
He also announced plans to permanently station Boeing aircraft in Chattogram and Sylhet to develop them into regional international hubs. In addition, the airline plans to build a comprehensive aviation ecosystem centred on cargo operations, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), flight catering and aviation training.
The airline further announced that it has launched self-funded programmes to develop pilots and aircraft engineers, while work is progressing on an international-standard aviation training centre and a modern flight catering facility in Purbachal.
The airline further announced plans to finance pilot and aircraft engineer development and establish an international-standard aviation training centre and a modern flight catering facility in Purbachal.
//DBTech/SMI/NMA//
