Biman Bangladesh plans to add 10 Airbus aircraft

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is expected to sign an agreement to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft in October after expanding its Boeing order to 25 aircraft, Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said.

He said the aircraft would be delivered over time rather than all at once. The first Boeing aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2031.

The proposed purchase includes four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body aircraft.

The proposed Airbus acquisition would complement Biman’s existing Boeing orders, which now total 25 aircraft, including five 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8 MAX aircraft ordered most recently.

The 14 Boeing aircraft previously ordered by Biman Bangladesh Airlines are scheduled to be delivered in phases between 2031 and 2035. The delivery schedule for the additional 11 aircraft has not yet been publicly disclosed.

The planned A350s would mainly be used on high-demand routes to the Middle East and long-haul services to Europe and North America, while the A321neos would operate regional and shorter-haul routes.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, comprising mainly Boeing models, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777s and Boeing 737s, along with Dash 8 turboprops. According to fleet data, Biman Bangladesh Airlines does not currently operate any Airbus aircraft.

The minister said that although the carrier’s fleet size is 19 aircraft but two aircraft two are effectively unavailable for regular operations, leaving the airline operating mainly with 17.

A significant portion of the existing fleet is also expected to age over the next decade, making the new aircraft purchases part of the airline’s long-term fleet expansion and renewal plan.

Millat said payments for the aircraft would be made according to the agreed financing and delivery arrangements rather than being paid in full upfront.

The minister said Biman was also working to lease up to 10 aircraft ahead of the delivery of the newly purchased aircraft.