3 govts, one evolving Biman fleet strategy
Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 11 additional aircraft, taking Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ Boeing order book to 25 aircraft and marking another step in the national carrier’s shift towards a predominantly Boeing-based fleet.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin announced the deal at a press conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on Wednesday evening, saying the new aircraft are needed as Bangladesh plans to expand its aviation sector and open new international routes.
“A significant signing ceremony was held with Boeing. Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement to purchase 11 more Boeing aircraft,” he said.
The latest agreement is part of a fleet expansion process that has changed significantly across three successive governments, moving from an Airbus-focused plan under the Awami League to Boeing under the interim government and, ultimately, signed Boeing agreements under the current BNP government.
How Biman’s aircraft plans changed across three governments
The procurement strategy took a different direction under each of the three administrations.
Under the Awami League government, Bangladesh publicly committed in 2023 to acquiring 10 Airbus A350 aircraft during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Bangladesh in September that year.
However, the plan did not result in a final 10-aircraft purchase agreement before the Awami League government left office in August 2024.
The Airbus proposal also went through differing financial assessments within Biman.
A techno-financial evaluation reported in May 2024 found an offer involving two A350-900 aircraft financially unattractive over their projected operating life.
The following day, Biman’s board approved a proposal to procure four Airbus aircraft following another assessment.
The interim government that followed subsequently shifted the focus towards Boeing.
In July 2025, the interim government publicly said Bangladesh was considering increasing its planned Boeing purchase from 14 to 25 aircraft, amid efforts to reduce the country’s trade imbalance with the United States.
However, the announcement did not initially represent a completed 25-aircraft purchase by Biman.
At the time, the airline’s management and techno-financial committee had not been involved in a final decision on the 25-aircraft figure.
Biman’s board later gave in-principle approval for 14 Boeing aircraft at its annual general meeting in December 2025, subject to negotiations over price, financing and other conditions.
That package comprised eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 aircraft.
The procurement moved from preliminary approval to formal agreements after the BNP government took office in February 2026.
On 30 April, Biman signed an agreement with Boeing for the 14 aircraft approved earlier. Boeing described it as Biman’s largest-ever aircraft order at the time.
The latest agreement for 11 additional aircraft brings the total number of Boeing aircraft ordered under the two agreements to 25.
According to Boeing, the combined orders comprise 13 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 737-8 aircraft.
The 11-aircraft agreement signed in New York consists of five 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8 aircraft.
Airbus still remains an option
The latest Boeing deal does not necessarily close the door on Airbus.
Bangladesh has continued discussions with Airbus over a possible separate acquisition of 10 aircraft, comprising four A350-900 widebody aircraft and six A321neo aircraft.
Mahdi Amin also said Bangladesh could hold discussions with Airbus in the future depending on the country’s requirements.
“Bangladesh will purchase aircraft based on its needs. Bangladesh’s aviation sector is expanding and there are plans to open new routes. Therefore, new aircraft are required,” he said.
The competing Boeing and Airbus plans therefore reflect two strands of Biman’s fleet strategy: expanding its existing Boeing-based fleet while keeping the option of adding Airbus aircraft.
Why the latest deal matters
Biman already operates a predominantly Boeing fleet, including 787 Dreamliners, 777-300ERs, 737-800s and 737-8 aircraft, as well as Dash 8-Q400 turboprops.
The additional Boeing aircraft could allow the national carrier to expand capacity on international and regional routes while maintaining greater commonality in pilot training, maintenance and spare-parts management.
The procurement, however, also represents a significant long-term financial and operational commitment for the national flag carrier, particularly as Bangladesh weighs fleet expansion against route profitability, financing and delivery schedules.
Mahdi Amin said the Boeing delegation later paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The latest deal marks the latest stage of a fleet procurement process that has evolved across three governments – from the Awami League’s 2023 Airbus commitment, through the interim government’s Boeing proposals and 14-aircraft approval, to the current BNP government’s signed agreements for 25 Boeing aircraft.
