US-Bangla Airlines has initiated a landmark expansion plan involving an investment of approximately Tk14,000 crore ($1.1 billion).
Under this initiative, the airline will add 21 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to its fleet, nearly doubling its current capacity by 2027.
The aircraft will be procured from the world’s top five aircraft leasing companies.
According to a letter sent to Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), this investment aims to not only expand the airline’s international reach but also significantly enhance the overall capability of Bangladesh’s aviation industry.
US-Bangla plans to transform Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet into regional aviation hubs.
Once the new Boeings are integrated, the airline will operate flights from these three cities to various destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
A formal announcement regarding the expansion is scheduled for 29 July at the Hotel Sheraton in Banani.
The event is expected to be attended by Paul Righi, Vice President of Boeing; Brent T Christensen, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh; and representatives from international leasing firms alongside domestic and foreign aviation and tourism experts.
The airline will use the occasion to detail its investment plans, delivery schedules, and future expansion strategies.
The expansion marks a significant shift in passenger experience for the carrier. The new aircraft will feature international-standard cabin interiors, premium seating, and a modern wireless in-flight entertainment system. This system will allow passengers to stream movies, dramas, music, and Hollywood or Bollywood content directly to their personal devices.
Furthermore, the aircraft will be equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi, enabling passengers to use the internet, send messages, and make phone calls while in the air. US-Bangla noted that while such facilities are common among leading global airlines, this represents a major technological milestone for a private airline in Bangladesh.
The leasing companies are scheduled to deliver the aircraft in phases between January and December. Beyond increasing operational capacity, the move is expected to create hundreds of jobs for pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and technical staff. The airline anticipates this will have a positive impact on the country’s tourism, trade, and foreign exchange earnings.
US-Bangla’s current fleet consists of 25 aircraft, including nine Boeing 737-800s, three Airbus A330-300s, ten ATR 72-600s, and three other aircraft. With the addition of the 21 new Boeings, the total fleet size will reach 46.
The airline currently serves all domestic routes and operates internationally to Kolkata, Chennai, Male, Muscat, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Guangzhou. Plans are also underway to expand services to further destinations in Asia and the Middle East.
