Biman Signs Agreement to Purchase 14 Boeing Aircraft

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a deal with the U.S. manufacturer Boeing to purchase 14 aircraft at a cost of approximately Tk40,000 crores. The agreement was signed on Thursday at 7:30 PM at a hotel in the capital.

The contract was signed by Kaiser Sobhan Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman, and Paul Righi, Vice President of Boeing. The ceremony was attended by M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism; Humayun Kabir, the Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor; U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen; Biman Board Chairman Rumi A. Hossain; as well as senior government officials, diplomats, and aviation executives.

During the event, State Minister Millat said, "This is not just a contract; it is a new bridge in the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh. This agreement will bring the world closer to Bangladesh." Paul Righi said, "This deal marks a milestone in Bangladesh’s aviation journey. As a result, Biman Bangladesh becomes one of the few airlines in the world to operate the complete 787 Dreamliner series—the 787-8, -9, and -10."
Fleet Expansion and Efficiency

Biman authorities said the 787-10 model will provide unparalleled efficiency and increased capacity on high-demand routes, including the Middle East. Meanwhile, the 787-9 model will serve long-haul routes to Europe and North America. This order also establishes the first connection with Biman’s latest generation 737 series. Collectively, the 787 and 737 series aircraft are up to 20% more fuel-efficient than the planes they are replacing.

Furthermore, these aircraft will enhance the passenger experience through advanced cabin features, greater comfort, and smoother travel. Overall, the agreement supports Biman’s strategy for network expansion, fleet modernization, and improving passenger services. Authorities believe this move will establish Bangladesh as an emerging hub in South Asia's rapidly growing aviation market.
Details of the Purchase

According to officials involved in the deal, Biman will purchase a total of 14 new aircraft under this proposed agreement, which will include 8 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, 2 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 4 Boeing 737-8 MAX Jets.

The decision was made to modernize the fleet and increase capacity for long-haul flights to meet growing passenger demand. The Dreamliners will operate on routes to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, while the 737 MAX aircraft will serve regional and short-haul routes.
Strategic Shift

This large-scale procurement order had been the subject of a three-year competition between Boeing and the Europe-based manufacturer Airbus. Under the previous Awami League government, a policy decision had been made to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft. However, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the 2024 mass uprising and strategic pressure to reduce the trade gap with the United States, the interim government made the final decision in favor of Boeing.

A top Biman official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the cost of the 14 aircraft will be paid in long-term installments over 10 to 20 years. This means an annual payment of Tk1,500 to 2,000 crores. In exchange, there is hope that the United States will play a positive role in reducing tariffs on Bangladeshi products.

Earlier, State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat stated that the government was working with the goal of signing this agreement with Boeing by April 30 to transform Biman into a profitable organization.

It has been reported that Biman’s fleet currently consists of only 19 aircraft. The fleet shrank further last year after two aircraft were returned following the expiration of their lease. The existing fleet includes four Boeing 777-300 ERs, four Boeing 787-8s, two Boeing 787-9s, four Boeing 737s, and five Dash-8-400 aircraft. In addition to domestic routes, Biman currently operates flights to 22 international destinations. However, the airline has plans to launch new routes to Male (Maldives), Jakarta (Indonesia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), and Sydney (Australia).
Delays in Fleet Expansion

Sources indicate that Biman has been unable to add any new aircraft since February and March 2021, when two Canadian-built Dash-8 aircraft joined the fleet. The long delay in fleet expansion was primarily caused by indecision over whether to purchase aircraft from Europe or the United States.

Facing an increase in international passengers and intense competition from foreign airlines, Biman adopted an ambitious 10-year plan in 2024. This plan set a goal to purchase 26 new aircraft and expand its route network. Subsequently, both Boeing and Airbus submitted various proposals. However, for a long time, Biman was unable to finalize an agreement with either manufacturer.

Ultimately, on December 30, Biman’s Board of Directors made a policy decision to purchase 14 aircraft from Boeing. The current government is upholding that decision.
Delivery Timeline and Challenges

Biman’s General Manager of Public Relations, Bushra Islam, informed that the airline will have to wait until November 2031 to receive the first delivery of the new Boeing aircraft. As a result, there is almost no possibility of resolving the aircraft shortage in the short term.