Biman Bangladesh Airlines Signs First Airbus Order for Ten Aircraft
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed its first firm order with Airbus for ten aircraft, marking a strategic shift from its exclusive Boeing fleet to a mixed fleet as part of long-term expansion plans targeting international routes, contingent on resolving FAA Category 2 restrictions.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a firm order with Airbus for ten aircraft, its first purchase from the European manufacturer. The agreement includes four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets, signed at a ceremony titled 'Spreading Our Wings Together' at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden. This move ends the airline's historical reliance on an all-Boeing fleet.
Fleet transition and expansion plans
The Airbus order adds to Biman's existing Boeing commitments, bringing its total order book to 35 aircraft. The airline plans to grow its fleet from 19 aircraft today to 47 by the 2034-35 fiscal year. This expansion is built on two major Boeing agreements signed earlier this year.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Agreement Date | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 787-10 Dreamliner | 8 | April 30 | Part of ~$3.7 billion |
| 787-9 Dreamliner | 2 | April 30 | Part of ~$3.7 billion |
| 737-8 | 4 | April 30 | Part of ~$3.7 billion |
| 787-10 Dreamliner | 5 | September 23 | Part of ~$2.7 billion |
| 737-8 | 6 | September 23 | Part of ~$2.7 billion |
Together, these Boeing and Airbus agreements cover 35 aircraft: 19 wide-body and 16 narrow-body jets.
Aircraft types and intended routes
The new Airbus aircraft will operate from Dhaka. The wide-body A350-900s are destined for long-haul routes to the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Australia. The narrow-body A321neos will focus on regional destinations and medium-haul Asian hubs.
Delivery timeline and challenges
First deliveries of the Airbus aircraft are expected from 2033. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Rashiduzzaman Millat, anticipated deliveries could extend until 2036 or 2037. Millat also requested that some aircraft be delivered ahead of schedule. A key hurdle for Biman's North American ambitions remains. The airline ceased flying to New York in 2006 when Bangladesh was placed under FAA Category 2 restrictions. A return to the United States depends on the country overcoming this status.
Diplomatic and industry context
The order has diplomatic origins linked to French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Dhaka in 2023. That initial announcement did not result in a firm commitment. Airbus later revised its offer from an original reported proposal of ten A350 and four A320neo family aircraft down to the final configuration of four A350-900s and six A321neos. Following months of evaluation and negotiations, the deal was finalized. Airbus Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, called the order a "significant milestone" in the relationship with the airline.
Biman Chairman Rumee A. Hossain framed the expansion as a measured ambition for a nation of 200 million people with a large diaspora. The airline also seeks to lease ten aircraft for short-term capacity needs. Its current fleet consists of four Boeing 777-300ERs, four 787-8s, two 787-9s, four 737-800s, and five De Havilland Dash 8-400s. Biman's planned acquisition pipeline now totals 35 jets.
