Biman to seal 10 new Airbus deal tomorrow

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign an agreement with Airbus on October 7 (Wednesday) to purchase 10 new aircraft as part of its long-term fleet expansion and modernisation plan, officials said on Sunday.

Airbus India and South Asia President and Managing Director Jürgen Westermeier and Biman Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohel Ahmed are expected to sign the agreement at a city hotel. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir are expected to attend the ceremony.

Under the deal, Biman will acquire four Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft for long-haul international operations and six A321neo narrow-body aircraft for regional and medium-haul routes.

The commercial value of the agreement has not been disclosed. The aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2033 and 2036 or 2037, according to the minister.

The deal will mark a shift in Biman’s fleet strategy, which has traditionally been dominated by Boeing aircraft, although the national flag carrier operated Airbus aircraft in the past.

Biman has already agreed to acquire 25 Boeing aircraft, including 13 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 12 Boeing 737-8 aircraft.

With the Airbus deal, Biman’s long-term acquisition programme would comprise 35 new aircraft-19 wide-body and 16 narrow-body jets.

The airline is also considering leasing aircraft to meet its short-term capacity needs before the new aircraft are delivered.