Biman to Sign Deal for 10 Airbus Aircraft on October 7

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign an agreement on October 7 to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft as part of its long-term fleet expansion and modernization plan.

Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, and Kaiser Sohail Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, are expected to sign the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations in Dhaka.

The signing ceremony is scheduled to be held at a hotel in the capital, with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir expected to attend.

Under the agreement, Biman will purchase four Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body aircraft. The A350-900s are intended for long-haul international routes, while the A321neos are expected to serve regional and medium-haul routes.

Millat previously said the delivery of the aircraft could begin in 2033 and continue through 2036 or 2037. The total commercial value of the Airbus deal has not yet been officially disclosed.

The addition of the Airbus aircraft will mark a significant shift in Biman’s fleet strategy, which has largely relied on Boeing aircraft. The new plan will allow the national flag carrier to operate a fleet combining aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus.

Biman had previously agreed to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft, including eight 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 aircraft. The plan was later expanded by another 11 Boeing aircraft—five 787-10s and six 737-8s—bringing the planned Boeing purchases to 25.

If the Airbus plan is also completed, Biman’s long-term acquisition program will include 35 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft, comprising 19 wide-body and 16 narrow-body planes.

Until the new aircraft are delivered, Biman is also considering leasing aircraft to meet its short-term capacity requirements. The October 7 agreement is expected to mark another major step in the airline’s long-term fleet modernization and expansion strategy.