Dhaka: Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Wednesday signed an agreement with Airbus to acquire 10 aircraft, taking the national flag carrier’s planned long-term acquisition pipeline to 35 jets.
The agreement covers four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets, officials familiar with the development said.
Airbus India and South Asia President and Managing Director Jürgen Westermeier and Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir witnessed the signing.
The ceremony, titled “Spreading Our Wings Together”, was held at Utshab Hall of Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden here this evening.
Invest Bangladesh Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter and Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Sohail Ahmed were also present.
The deal marks a major step in Biman’s long-term fleet expansion programme and would introduce Airbus aircraft into the carrier’s future jet fleet.
The four A350-900 aircraft are expected to support Biman’s long-haul operations, while the six A321neo jets would serve regional and medium-haul routes.
The acquisition would also move the airline towards a mixed Boeing-Airbus fleet as it prepares to expand capacity and its route network over the coming decade.
Biman had earlier agreed to acquire 14 Boeing aircraft, comprising eight 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 aircraft.
Another 11 Boeing jets – five 787-10s and six 737-8s – were subsequently added to the programme, taking the planned Boeing acquisition to 25 aircraft.
With the 10 Airbus aircraft, Biman’s long-term acquisition pipeline now stands at 35 jets, including 19 wide-body and 16 narrow-body aircraft.
The planned fleet expansion is expected to give Biman greater flexibility in deploying aircraft across long-haul, regional and short- to medium-haul routes.
Biman is also considering leasing aircraft to meet shorter-term capacity requirements before deliveries under its long-term acquisition programme begin.
