Bangladesh’s Flag Carrier Just Ordered Planes From Both Airbus and Boeing

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has firmed up an order for 10 Airbus aircraft, four A350-900 widebodies and six A321neo narrowbodies, to be based in Dhaka. The order comes only about a week after the airline placed a separate Boeing order for 25 jets, a mix of 737 MAX and 787 models.

Biman is a small carrier today, with 19 aircraft: four 737-800s, four 777-300ERs, six 787s and five Dash 8s. Taken together with the new orders, the planned additions are six A321neos, four A350-900s, ten 737 MAX 8s, two 787-9s and thirteen 787-10s. The airline has not given a delivery timeline for the Airbus planes, and the analyst covering the story questioned the logic of operating two Airbus types and two Boeing types.

History adds context. In 2023, Biman had planned an A350 order with Airbus that was never finalized, and the airline went with Boeing instead. Now Airbus is back in the picture. The airline says the aircraft’s range, efficiency and operating economics will strengthen its network, with plans to serve North America and expand to key destinations in Europe and the Middle East.

One hurdle remains. Bangladesh lacks an FAA Category 1 rating, so Bangladeshi airlines cannot currently fly to the United States. Chairman Rumee A. Hossain described the expansion as a measured and reasonable ambition. Until the safety rating issue is resolved, North American service will have to wait, whatever aircraft the airline ends up flying.

Sources: One Mile at a Time