After years of intense political lobbying and public frustration, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is on the brink of finalising a major aircraft order with European planemaker Airbus. The national carrier has formally commenced the acquisition process for 10 new jets, with an agreement expected to be signed by 31 August 2026.
For years, Airbus has fiercely contested Boeing’s dominance over the Bangladeshi market. The European manufacturer felt disadvantaged not by the quality of its proposals, but by the strong political and trade ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
The battle for the contract reached the highest levels of government, highlighted by French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Dhaka in 2023, where he openly referenced his frustrations regarding the airline’s heavy reliance on Boeing. When Biman subsequently proceeded to sign an agreement with Boeing in April for 14 aircraft, comprising 787s and 737 MAX jets. Airbus executives took the highly unusual step of publicly voicing their disappointment over the nation’s decision-making process.
Despite the initial setback, Airbus has successfully worked its way back into Biman’s framework. The revised proposal currently on the table covers 10 aircraft, reportedly comprising four A350-900 widebodies and six A321neo single-aisle jets.
This move will see Biman diversify its fleet by operating aircraft from both major manufacturers. While some industry analysts warn that a mixed fleet introduces operational and maintenance complexity, others view the diversification as a prudent, risk-mitigating strategy.
The acquisition aligns closely with Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ long-term roadmap. The carrier aims to modernise its fleet by the 2034/35 financial year, focusing first on replacing ageing aircraft to bring down the fleet’s average age, and secondly on acquiring new jets to unlock fresh route opportunities.
However, the contracts with both Airbus and Boeing have drawn significant scrutiny. Critics and analysts have argued that committing to such massive capital expenditure is irresponsible, pointing to pressing domestic challenges within Bangladesh.