Biman Bangladesh Airlines has ordered 11 more Boeing aircraft as part of its fleet renewal and expansion plan, according to an announcement by Boeing on Wednesday.
The order comprises five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8 jets. It follows Biman’s earlier order for 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft, taking the airline’s total orders placed with Boeing this year to 25 aircraft.
The latest agreement was announced in New York on Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where senior officials from Bangladesh and the United States were present.
Biman chairman Rumee A Hossain said the additional order was aimed at supporting the airline’s fleet renewal and network expansion.
‘Today’s supplemental agreement is an important step in Biman’s ongoing fleet renewal and network expansion,’ he said in a statement issued by Boeing.
According to Rumee, the order was based on requirements identified in Biman’s fleet plan. He said the national flag carrier intended to expand its network and strengthen its capabilities to meet the connectivity needs of Bangladeshi passengers, expatriates, businesses and the tourism sector.
‘This agreement is one part of a broader, carefully considered plan to strengthen the country’s international connectivity in the years ahead,’ he said.
Biman currently operates Boeing 787 and 777 wide-body aircraft and 737 Next-Generation aircraft on its international network, connecting Bangladesh with destinations in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Europe, according to Boeing.
Boeing said the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families offer improved fuel efficiency compared with the aircraft they replace.
The company said the new aircraft would also strengthen commonality within Biman’s existing Boeing fleet. The 737-8 is expected to provide additional range for the airline’s single-aisle operations, while the 787-10 will provide higher passenger capacity alongside Biman’s existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.
Boeing senior vice-president of commercial sales and marketing Brad McMullen said the additional order reflected Biman’s approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth.
‘These additional 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes will deliver the efficiency, versatility and reliability Biman needs to support Bangladesh’s growing role in global aviation,’ he said.
Biman currently operates Boeing 787 and 777 wide-body aircraft and 737 Next-Generation aircraft on its international network, connecting Bangladesh with destinations in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Europe, according to Boeing.
Boeing said the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families offer improved fuel efficiency compared with the aircraft they replace.
The company said the new aircraft would also strengthen commonality within Biman’s existing Boeing fleet. The 737-8 is expected to provide additional range for the airline’s single-aisle operations, while the 787-10 will provide higher passenger capacity alongside Biman’s existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.
Boeing senior vice-president of commercial sales and marketing Brad McMullen said the additional order reflected Biman’s approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth.
‘These additional 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes will deliver the efficiency, versatility and reliability Biman needs to support Bangladesh’s growing role in global aviation,’ he said.
The announcement follows Biman’s earlier major Boeing order this year as the state-owned airline moves to modernise its fleet and expand international operations.
Officials present at the signing included Bangladesh Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, state minister for foreign affairs Humayun Kabir, Invest Bangladesh Authority chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and senior US officials including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen congratulated both Boeing and Biman for signing the agreement.
‘Congratulations to Boeing and Biman on the agreement to purchase 11 more of the world’s best commercial planes. Another win-win for the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship! Will be tuning in to the signing ceremony in New York later today,’ the ambassador said in a Facebook post.
The additional 11 aircraft will come on top of a $3.7 billion agreement Biman signed with Boeing on April 30 for 14 aircraft – eight 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9s and four 737-8s. Deliveries of those aircraft are scheduled between 2031 and 2035.
Details of the models, prices, financing arrangements and delivery schedules for the additional 11 aircraft have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Biman currently has an active fleet of 21 aircraft: four Boeing 777-300ERs, four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, six Boeing 737-800s and five Dash 8-400s.
The planned purchase of the 25 aircraft was among the commitments made during negotiations between Dhaka and Washington over the agreement on reciprocal trade, which was signed during the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government before it left office on February 9.
The agreement was aimed, among other things, at reducing the trade gap between Bangladesh and the United States, amid pressure from Washington.
The BNP-led government under Tarique is now implementing the agreement on reciprocal trade, including the commitments related to the aircraft purchases.
Source: News Age BD
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