Boeing and Biman will sign a historic agreement this evening

This evening, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is scheduled to sign a historic agreement with Boeing to buy 14 aircraft, marking the airline’s largest modern fleet expansion intended to increase capacity and bolster Bangladesh’s aspirations to become an aviation center.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Prime Minister’s Advisor M Humayun Kabir will be special guests, while Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman will be present as a guest of honor. Afroza Khanam Rita, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, will be the chief guest.

According to a Biman official, US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen will also be present at the ceremony, which will be hosted by Biman Board Chairman Rumee A. Hossain.

The formal signing ceremony will be held at 7:30 PM at Hotel InterContinental in the capital, with senior government officials, diplomats and aviation executives expected to attend.

Under the proposed agreement, Biman will procure 14 new aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 MAX jets.

According to Biman authorities, the acquisition is intended to boost regional operations in the face of growing passenger demand, modernize the national carrier’s fleet, and increase long-haul capacity.

While the narrow-body 737 MAX aircraft will assist regional and short-haul flights, the wide-body Dreamliners are anticipated to strengthen services to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The expected signing occurs as the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is about to open, a development that is thought to be essential to Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a regional aviation hub.

Additionally, the agreement is anticipated to put an end to nearly three years of fierce competition between European rival Airbus and Boeing for Biman’s next significant fleet order.

Airbus had gained traction in 2023 following high-level European engagement, including discussions linked to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit and references in a Bangladesh-UK joint statement to a possible purchase of 10 Airbus A350 aircraft, including freighters.

European officials had argued that introducing Airbus aircraft would diversify Biman’s all-Boeing fleet and strengthen economic ties with the European Union.

Boeing, however, maintained sustained engagement with Dhaka policymakers, offering a mix of Dreamliners, freighter options and narrow-body aircraft to retain its long-standing position.