Biman Bangladesh Expands Fleet with 10 Airbus Aircraft Order

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is poised to sign a significant deal with Airbus on Wednesday, October 7, in Dhaka. The agreement covers the purchase of 10 aircraft: four A350-900s and six A321neos. This comes just weeks after the carrier expanded its order backlog with Boeing to 25 aircraft, bringing the total pending orders to 35. The ceremony will take place at a Radisson hotel in the capital, with key figures including Jürgen Westermeier of Airbus and Kaizer Sohail Ahmed of Biman expected to sign the agreement.

The estimated value of the order exceeds USD 2 billion, according to The Business Standard. The A350-900s will be used for long-haul routes to the Middle East, Europe, and North America, while the A321neos will serve regional and medium-haul destinations. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2033 and continue through 2036 or 2037, aligning with available production slots.

Biman Bangladesh had initially aimed to finalize the Airbus deal by August 31, but the timeline was extended. The government confirmed the revised schedule, with Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat stating, "Yes, we are going to buy 10 Airbus aircraft. Inshallah, the agreement will be signed in October." Airbus adjusted its initial offer from 14 aircraft to the current mix after Biman's first order with Boeing in April.

The airline had previously signed a follow-on agreement with Boeing on September 23, adding five 787-10s and six 737-8s to its backlog. This brings Biman's total pending orders to 35 aircraft, including 19 widebodies and 16 narrowbodies. The current fleet consists of about 19 aircraft, with an average age of around 12 years, and is exclusively Boeing. The return to a mixed fleet marks a significant shift for the airline.