Biman seeks early Boeing delivery as fleet expands

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is seeking early delivery of at least one aircraft by the fiscal 2027-28 as the government moves to expand the national flag carrier’s fleet with 25 new Boeing aircraft.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said that deliveries under the aircraft purchase programme are scheduled to begin in November 2031, with the final aircraft expected by 2035. 

However, Biman has asked Boeing to deliver at least one aircraft earlier, preferably in FY28.

The minister made the remarks at a press briefing at the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Biman signed an agreement with Boeing on 30 April this year to purchase 14 aircraft. 

Exercising an option under that agreement to purchase additional aircraft, the airline signed a supplementary deal in New York on 23 September for 11 more Boeing aircraft.

The latest agreement covers five Boeing 787-10 wide-body aircraft and six Boeing 737-8 MAX narrow-body aircraft.

Together, the two agreements cover 25 aircraft – 15 wide-body planes, comprising 13 Boeing 787-10s and two Boeing 787-9s, and 10 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft.

The minister said the purchase plan was based on passenger demand, network and fleet planning, aircraft range and capacity, expected passenger loads and flight frequencies.

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Under the plan, wide-body aircraft will mainly serve high-demand Middle Eastern routes and long-haul destinations in Europe and North America. 

Narrow-body aircraft will primarily serve regional and shorter routes while also replacing Biman’s ageing Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Millat said the government was also in discussions with Airbus to purchase four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body aircraft. 

An agreement for the 10 Airbus aircraft is expected to be signed in October, he said.

The government is seeking to develop a sustainable mixed fleet and is following the Ethiopian Airlines model in expanding Biman’s fleet, according to the minister.

He said Biman currently operates only 19 aircraft and serves just over 20% of total passenger demand, with foreign airlines carrying the remainder.

“There is no geopolitical influence” behind the aircraft purchase decisions, Millat said, adding that the initiative was aimed at addressing the aircraft shortage and strengthening Biman’s capacity.

On financing, the minister said Biman, as a public limited company, would pay for the aircraft from its own revenue and through appropriate financing arrangements. As deliveries will take place in phases, payments will also be made gradually.

He said Biman’s financial capacity, route revenues and projected growth had been considered in preparing the purchase plan, and the programme would not directly put pressure on the national budget.