Biman Bangladesh Negotiates Purchase of 10 Airbus Aircraft

Negotiations over a proposed purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft by Biman Bangladesh Airlines are ongoing, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet confirmed at a discussion in Dhaka.

The carrier is preparing agreements for 21 additional aircraft, comprising 11 Boeing jets and 10 Airbus planes, including four A350-900s and six A321neos, following a September 16 report by The Daily Star.

“Biman has chosen Airbus for technical reasons, not for political reasons,” Séré-Charlet said at the event organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh.

Fleet split across two manufacturers

Historically, Biman has relied on Boeing for its long-haul operations. Splitting the new intake between Boeing and Airbus creates a dual-supplier structure. This setup balances delivery slots and preserves operational flexibility. The carrier is now drafting agreements for 21 total aircraft to replace aging planes and open new international routes.

European diplomats continue to push for access in Bangladesh’s state procurement processes. Séré-Charlet noted France expects a fair operating environment for European companies competing against American planemakers in the country.

Widebody and narrowbody balance

Under the Airbus plan, four long-range A350-900 widebodies join six A321neo narrowbodies. The twin-aisle A350s will fly high-density routes to Europe and the Middle East, serving steady Bangladeshi diaspora traffic. Meanwhile, the A321neos will handle medium-haul regional flights across Asia.

Operating a dual fleet increases overhead for maintenance tooling, spare parts inventories and pilot type ratings. Even so, airlines across South and Southeast Asia accept these complexities. Doing so hedges against single-manufacturer production delays.

Shifting regional fleet dynamics

Carriers across South Asia are overhauling their order books to capture growing outbound passenger and cargo demand. Regional competitors have already placed large multi-year orders for modern twinjets. Biman now faces direct pressure from Gulf carriers and regional airlines flying latest-generation widebodies into Dhaka.

Securing modern delivery slots improves seat economics and reduces fuel burn per available seat kilometer. It also shields Biman from fuel price volatility on high-frequency labor-migration routes across the Gulf.

What happens next for Dhaka procurement

Biman began drafting the technical frameworks for the 21-aircraft intake in September. Government approval and financing terms are required before the airline can convert the commitments into firm purchase contracts.

Delivery timetables and engine selections will hinge on ministerial sign-offs in Dhaka as trade talks wrap up between Bangladesh, European suppliers and US manufacturers.