Last month, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a $3.7 billion deal with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing to buy 14 aircraft. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has made a new offer to sell 10 aircraft to Biman.
Airbus has formally submitted a new fleet plan proposal to Biman’s Techno-Finance Committee, airline sources said. It offers four A350-900 widebody and six A321-Neo narrowbody aircraft.
Biman’s general manager (public relations) Bosra Islam said Airbus had recently submitted a proposal to sell its aircraft. The related committee of Biman is reviewing the matter.
Earlier, on April 30, Biman signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 14 aircraft. The contract covers eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737 Max-8 aircraft. The $3.7 billion deal is being financed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
Those concerned say that for more than three years, Boeing and Airbus were in the competition to add new aircraft to the fleet. Airbus moved forward slightly in 2023 due to European diplomatic efforts, but Boeing ultimately got the big order.
However, despite the Boeing deal, Airbus continues to push for a place in the aircraft fleet. On May 5, Airbus Vice President Edward Delehaye held a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and senior airline officials in Dhaka.
In that meeting, the vice president of Airbus proposed to form a ‘mixed fleet’ by adding Boeing and Airbus aircraft to the aircraft fleet. In response, Bangladeshi officials expressed interest in working closely with Airbus on future fleet planning.
Currently, 14 of the 19 aircraft in the airline’s fleet are made by Boeing. As a result, if the Airbus aircraft is added, for the first time a full mixed fleet of aircraft will be formed.
