Biman signs Airbus deal for 10 aircraft in major fleet expansion
The agreement, signed on
October 7 at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, covers four Airbus A350-900
widebody aircraft for long-haul services and six A321neo aircraft for regional
operations. Under the preliminary roadmap of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
Tourism, the aircraft are expected to begin joining Biman’s fleet around 2033.
The new planes are
expected to give Biman additional capacity on international and regional routes
while improving fuel efficiency and operational flexibility. The airline also
plans to use the expanded fleet to strengthen its network and compete more
effectively in international markets.
The signing ceremony was
attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Biman
Chairman Rumee A. Hossain, Managing Director and CEO Kaizer Sohail Ahmed, and
Airbus President for South Asia Jürgen Westermeier.
Senior government
officials, members of parliament, diplomatic representatives and Biman
officials also attended the event.
Millat said the aircraft
purchase should be viewed as part of a broader plan to develop Bangladesh into
an aviation hub. He said strengthening Biman’s fleet, routes and operational
capabilities would be necessary to position the carrier as a global legacy
airline.
Hossain said Biman’s
expansion reflected the size of Bangladesh’s travel market and the country’s
extensive overseas community, estimated at around 15 million people.
Airbus Executive Vice
President for Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry said the combination of the A350
and A321neo would give Biman greater range and flexibility as it expands into
new markets. He also described the agreement as an important stage in the
airline’s fleet modernization.
European diplomats
attending the signing welcomed the deal, with the EU, UK, Germany, France and
Spain describing it as a sign of closer economic and aviation cooperation
between Bangladesh and Europe.
The partnership is also
expected to extend beyond aircraft purchases. Biman and Airbus plan to
cooperate on aviation technology, engineering and maintenance, technical
training and workforce development.
The companies will also
work on environmentally sustainable aviation practices as Biman upgrades its
fleet.
The government views the
modernization program as strategically important for Bangladesh’s aviation
sector, with the expanded fleet expected to support passenger travel, tourism,
trade and the country’s large expatriate population.
