National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited on Thursday signed an agreement with the Boeing Company to acquire 14 aircraft, including 10 wide-body 787 Dreamliners and four narrow-body 737 MAX.
The agreement signing ceremony was held at a hotel in the capital Dhaka on the day.
Biman managing director and chief executive officer Kaizer Sohel Ahmed and Boeing vice-president Paul Righi signed the deal on behalf of the Biman and the United States-based aircraft manufacturing company respectively.
‘The new fuel-efficient, technologically advanced aircraft will modernise Biman’s fleet, enhance operational performance and expand its international route network, strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global aviation market,’ said Kaizer Sohel.
The first aircraft under the deal is expected to be delivered in October 2031, with the remaining deliveries scheduled to be completed by November 2035, according to Biman officials.
The officials said that the estimated cost of the aircraft purchase was $3.7 billion.
Paul Righi said that the agreement marked a ‘historic milestone’ in Boeing’s partnership with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, adding that the company was honoured to strengthen its long-standing relationship through the order.
He said that the deal represented a transformative moment in Bangladesh’s aviation journey, making Biman one of the few airlines in the world to operate the full 787 Dreamliner family — 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10.
He added that the 787-10 would bring increased capacity and efficiency on high-demand routes, particularly to the Middle East, while the 787-9 would serve long-haul routes to Europe and North America.
The agreement also includes four 737-8 aircraft, which will support fleet modernisation and improve connectivity with destinations across the Middle East, Southeast Asia and India.
Paul Righi said that, collectively, the 787 and 737 series aircraft were up to 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than the planes they would replace.
He added that improved cabin features, greater comfort and smoother travel would enhance the passenger experience.
He also said that the deal would support Biman’s strategy to expand its network, modernise its fleet and improve service quality, while helping position Bangladesh as an emerging aviation hub in South Asia.
Boeing, he added, remains committed to providing safe, reliable and future-ready solutions to support Biman in meeting growing demand for air travel in the region.
Biman is currently operating international routes with about 19 aircraft — well below the estimated requirement of 30 to 35 aircraft needed to meet rising passenger demand and planned expansion, said officials of the national flag carrier.
Biman’s fleet is currently dominated by Boeing aircraft, and the airline plans to expand its fleet to 47 by 2041, the officials added.
At the event, state minister for civil aviation and tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would be launched very soon.
The launch of the new terminal will increase passenger services and flight capacity, he said.
‘As a result, there will be opportunities to launch flights to new destinations, including Japan, Italy, Sydney and New York,’ he said.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines chairman Rumee A Hossain and US ambassador in Dhaka Brent T Christensen, among others, also spoke at the event.
