US-Bangla set to become full-fledged aviation group with 21 new aircraft

Private carrier US-Bangla Airlines is set to transform itself into a full-fledged aviation group with the induction of 21 new Boeing aircraft, marking the largest fleet expansion ever undertaken by a Bangladeshi private airline.

It will spend approximately US$1.5 billion to bring 15 state-of-the-art Boeing 737-8 aircraft and six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, all of which will be inducted in phases by 2027.

An announcement in this regard was made at a ceremony held at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday in presence of State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat. 

Addressing the programme as the chief guest, the state minister said, “Once the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport becomes operational, we will be able to serve 24 million passengers annually. To meet this growing demand, US-Bangla Airlines' decision to add 21 new Boeing aircraft is a significant step.”

Mentioning about the decision of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to induct 14 new Boeing aircraft in phases, he said these additions will strengthen the aviation sector and further improve air travel services for both domestic and international passengers.

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen said he is proud delighted to be part of the historic milestone in the growth of Bangladesh's aviation sector.

"I congratulate everyone whose hard work has made today's event possible. This new agreement to lease Boeing 737 aircraft—and the addition of more aircraft in the future—is not merely an expansion of an airline’s fleet; it is an investment in Bangladesh’s future,” he said.

“It will create opportunities for economic growth, strengthen regional and international connectivity, support tourism and trade, and generate high-quality employment opportunities for the people of Bangladesh.”

Boeing Vice President Paul Righi said US-Bangla is entering a new phase of growth by adding modern, fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft. 

“The decision reflects the airline’s confidence in the future of Bangladesh’s aviation sector and its commitment to enhancing passenger services,” he said.

Addressing the event, Managing Director of US-Bangla Group and US-Bangla Airlines, Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, said nearly 70 per cent of Bangladesh's international air travel market is still served by foreign airlines and therefore, they are bringing new aircraft to enhance capacity on international routes and help retain a significant amount of foreign currency within the country.

“Following the fleet expansion, we now have plans to increase flight frequencies on routes across South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Middle East. We will launch services to several new international destinations, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Colombo, Kathmandu, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kunming, Shenzhen, Beijing, South Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Madinah, Dammam and Salalah,” he said.

He also announced plans to develop Chattogram and Sylhet as international regional hubs, with direct international flights from the two airports to destinations across the Middle East and South Asia.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said the sustainable development of Bangladesh’s aviation industry requires new airports, competitive policies, skilled human resources, modern maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and internationally accredited aviation training centres.

US-Bangla informed that it has launched a self-financed initiative to train pilots and aircraft engineers. In addition, work is progressing on establishing an international-standard aviation training centre and a state-of-the-art flight catering centre in Purbachal.

The airline also shared its plans to induct next-generation wide-body aircraft to operate long-haul flights to destinations in Europe, North America and Australia.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs and Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Humayun Kabir, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, senior government officials, diplomats and aviation stakeholders attended the event.