The government is set to purchase 10 aircraft from European manufacturer Airbus for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, with the deal expected to be signed in October.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced the procurement on Tuesday at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.
The announcement follows an agreement signed with Boeing to purchase 25 aircraft. Clarifying the delivery schedule, Millat noted that signing the agreement does not mean the planes will arrive immediately.
Under the agreement, the first Boeing aircraft is scheduled to arrive in 2031, although Bangladesh has requested the delivery of at least one plane by 2027-28. The 25 Boeing aircraft will be delivered in phases through 2035-37.
Regarding financial arrangements, the Minister stated that payment will be made incrementally as each aircraft is delivered, meaning Bangladesh will not have to pay the full amount upfront.
“Now, we don’t have to pay any money. We are giving a guarantee that they will provide the aircraft one by one, and then we will pay. Hopefully, we will be able to pay this money from the earnings of this fleet,” Millat said.
The total expenditure for the 25 Boeing aircraft will be around $6.4 billion. This comprises a previous agreement for 14 Boeing aircraft valued at $3.7 billion, and 11 newly added aircraft costing approximately $2.7 billion, with prices for the additional 11 planes set in line with the earlier contract.
Because delivery of the newly purchased aircraft will take several years, the government has initiated a process to lease at least 10 aircraft to expand Biman’s fleet in the interim.
A committee headed by the Finance Secretary, comprising representatives of all relevant stakeholders, has been formed to oversee the leasing process.
Two additional members have been proposed to ensure the leasing process is completed transparently as part of efforts to develop the country’s aviation sector.
Addressing queries on whether the Boeing acquisition was intended to please the United States, Millat emphasised that aircraft procurement decisions are made strictly on a “Bangladesh First” basis and are entirely Bangladesh’s own.
He stated that the government evaluates suitability, profitability, and national interest when determining which aircraft to buy and from whom.
“What we should think about is how Bangladesh will benefit, where we can buy profitably, and from whom and how many we should buy to benefit the country,” Millat said, adding that creating a “level playing field” for other countries was not his concern.
He reiterated that aircraft will be purchased from whichever source proves most beneficial for Bangladesh’s aviation sector.
