Bangladesh Buys More Boeings Amid Transatlantic Industrial Rivalry

Bangladesh's Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a supplementary agreement with Boeing for another 11 aircraft order, comprising five 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8s. This takes Biman's Boeing order book this year to 25 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between November 2031 and October 2035.

The agreement is not just about expanding Biman's fleet, but also reflects the country's complex diplomatic relationships. The purchase was part of a trade deal negotiated by Bangladesh and the United States in February, which included concessions on market access and imports in exchange for preferential treatment for some Bangladeshi goods.

However, critics have questioned the agreement, pointing out that it is highly discriminatory and urging its reconsideration. They argue that Bangladesh should not be bound by concessions negotiated under a tariff threat whose original legal foundation had collapsed.

Biman already operates 19 aircraft, with 14 of them being Boeings. The airline's commercial interests have often taken a backseat to politics, with its fleet expansion seen as a way to project diplomatic influence and create employment opportunities.