No new deal Says minister
Bangladesh has not signed a new agreement to buy additional Boeing aircraft beyond its existing order for 14 planes, the government said on Tuesday, after a U.S. envoy suggested Dhaka would spend billions of dollars on more aircraft.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said remarks by U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor about Bangladesh significantly increasing its Boeing order may have referred to an earlier agreement.
“His comments regarding the purchase of aircraft from Boeing may have been about the previous agreement,” she told reporters at the Foreign Ministr
Gor, also the U.S. ambassador to India, said in a recent social media post that U.S. President Donald Trump and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had reached “another incredible Deal” under which Bangladesh would spend “Billions of Dollars” on more Boeing aircraft and significantly increase its initial order.
His remarks fuelled speculation that Dhaka had reached a fresh aircraft procurement agreement with Boeing or Washington. Gor did not specify the number or models of additional aircraft or provide details of a new purchase agreement.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said, however, that Bangladesh’s plans to expand its fleet were driven by the needs of its aviation sector, not external pressure.
“No, it is not because of any pressure. It is being done in accordance with the needs of our aviation sector,” Kobir told reporters.
Bangladesh needs a larger fleet to open new international routes, meet growing passenger demand and develop itself as a regional aviation hub, he said.
“We want to develop Bangladesh into an aviation hub in Asia. To become an important gateway in this region, we need to serve many more routes. For that, we need a larger aircraft fleet,” Kobir said.
He cited the rapid expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, which operates more than 150 aircraft, and said Bangladesh could require 70 to 80 aircraft or more over the next 10 to 15 years.
“Based on our requirements, we have taken an in-principle decision to purchase Boeing aircraft,” Kobir said, adding that future procurement would depend on Bangladesh’s requirements and financial capacity.
“We have to increase our fleet capacity. Otherwise, we will not be able to open new routes, and we will lose business,” he said.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the state-owned national carrier, signed an agreement with Boeing on April 30 to purchase 14 aircraft as part of its fleet expansion programme.
The order comprises eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 MAX aircraft.
The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has maintained that Bangladesh has signed no separate Boeing agreement beyond that deal.
Kobir said Bangladesh would also continue to maintain strong relations with both Washington and Beijing while seeking to expand trade and investment ties with the United States.
The government has framed fleet expansion as a long-term commercial and aviation requirement as Bangladesh seeks to open new routes, increase aviation revenue and strengthen its regional connectivity.
