Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed the largest aircraft order in its history, selecting 14 Boeing aircraft as the state-owned carrier moves to modernise its fleet and strengthen its international network.
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Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed the largest aircraft order in its history, selecting 14 Boeing aircraft as the state-owned carrier moves to modernise its fleet and strengthen its international network.
According to Boeing, the order includes a mix of Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody aircraft and 737 MAX narrowbody jets aimed at supporting both long-haul and regional operations. The deal marks Biman’s first purchase of the Boeing 787-10 and its first-ever order for the 737 MAX family.
The announcement comes as South Asian carriers continue to expand international connectivity and invest in fuel-efficient fleets amid rising passenger demand across the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
The order comprises:
Biman said the acquisition is intended to support network expansion while improving operating efficiency across its fleet.
The Boeing 787-10 is the largest variant in the Dreamliner family and is designed for high-capacity international routes. Boeing stated that the aircraft delivers the lowest seat-mile operating cost among widebody aircraft currently in service.
The 737-8 aircraft, meanwhile, will provide commonality with Biman’s existing Boeing narrowbody operations, allowing the airline to streamline pilot training, maintenance, and operational processes.
Boeing said the 787-10 and 737-8 offer between 20% and 25% lower fuel consumption compared with the aircraft they are expected to replace.
The order aligns with a broader industry push towards lower operating costs and improved sustainability performance, particularly as airlines face pressure from volatile fuel prices and tighter emissions targets.
Biman currently operates a fleet of 14 Boeing aircraft, including 787-8s, 787-9s, 777s, and Next-Generation 737s. The airline serves 22 international destinations from Dhaka, connecting Bangladesh with major cities across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Its longest route currently operates between Dhaka and Toronto via Istanbul using a Boeing 787-9.
The aircraft acquisition follows a sovereign guarantee approved by the Government of Bangladesh in January 2026 to support financing for the purchase.
The order also follows discussions in 2025 regarding a possible expansion of Boeing commitments as part of wider trade negotiations with the United States. At the time, the Bangladeshi government indicated it could potentially increase the order from 14 aircraft to 25, although the confirmed agreement remains limited to 14 aircraft.
The transaction reflects the strategic role aviation is expected to play in Bangladesh’s international trade and connectivity ambitions over the coming decade.
Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said the aircraft would help improve the airline’s competitiveness and international reach.
“The new fuel-efficient, technologically advanced aircraft will modernize Biman's fleet, sharpen operational performance, and extend its international route network, strengthening Bangladesh's position in the global aviation market,” he said in a statement released by Boeing.
Paul Righi, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia, said the order deepens Boeing’s relationship with the Bangladeshi carrier.
“We are proud to build on our partnership with Biman with this order and support their strategy to modernize their fleet, expand their network and enhance the passenger experience,” he said.
He added that the 787-10 offers operational commonality with Biman’s existing Dreamliner fleet, while the 737-8 provides fuel savings and operational flexibility for regional services.
Boeing’s latest Commercial Market Outlook projects that South Asia’s widebody fleet will more than triple over the next two decades as airlines expand international services.
The region has become one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, driven by rising outbound travel demand, labour mobility to the Gulf, and increased long-haul connectivity.
For Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the latest order signals a long-term commitment to expanding beyond its existing network footprint while renewing ageing aircraft with newer-generation models designed for lower operating costs and higher efficiency.
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