Biman Bangladesh Airlines is expected to sign a Boeing agreement for 11 additional aircraft in New York on September 23, 2026.
The proposed deal follows an April 2026 agreement for 14 aircraft valued at approximately $3.7 billion.
The two agreements would bring Biman’s planned Boeing acquisitions to 25 aircraft.
Bangladesh’s government says the additional purchase is driven by aviation demand, not US pressure.
The agreement is expected to be attended by senior US and Bangladeshi officials, with Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson leading the company’s delegation.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to sign an agreement with Boeing for 11 additional aircraft, potentially expanding its planned US-manufactured fleet acquisitions to 25 aircraft following a separate 14-aircraft agreement signed in April.
The proposed agreement is scheduled to be signed at 4:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s residence in New York, during his visit for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The signing is expected to bring together senior officials from Bangladesh and the United States, highlighting the growing commercial dimension of bilateral aviation cooperation.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen welcomed the anticipated agreement in a post on his verified X account on Wednesday.
“Congratulations to Boeing and Biman on the agreement to purchase 11 more of the world’s best commercial planes. Another win-win for the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship!” Christensen wrote, adding that he would follow the signing ceremony in New York.
Biman Chairman Rumee A. Hossain is expected to sign the agreement on behalf of the national flag carrier.
The proposed purchase follows a major aircraft procurement agreement signed in April 2026, when Bangladesh agreed to acquire 14 Boeing aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines in a deal valued at approximately $3.7 billion.
That agreement was described as the airline’s largest-ever aircraft order, marking a significant step in its long-term fleet modernization and expansion plans.
If the additional 11-aircraft agreement is finalized, Biman’s planned Boeing acquisitions under the two agreements would reach 25 aircraft.
The latest procurement is expected to support the airline’s ambitions to expand its international network, introduce additional routes and improve passenger services.
Bangladesh’s government has emphasized that the proposed additional purchase is driven by the country’s aviation requirements rather than external pressure.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir recently rejected suggestions that Washington was pressuring Dhaka to purchase more Boeing aircraft.
“No, not under any pressure but as per the demand of the aviation sector. We will buy additional aircraft according to our needs,” Kobir told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said the country needs to expand its aircraft fleet to open new routes, improve passenger services and strengthen Bangladesh’s position as an aviation gateway in Asia.
The government’s position places the proposed procurement within Biman’s broader operational and commercial expansion strategy.
The proposed agreement follows a letter sent by US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on September 1, in which Trump thanked the Bangladeshi leader for his decision to purchase Boeing aircraft.
“I just received your letter concerning the purchase of Boeing Aircraft, and very much appreciate your decision of purchase. Boeing will not let you down, and I will not forget,” Trump wrote.
The US president also thanked Rahman for his attention to the matter and expressed interest in meeting him in the near future.
The correspondence adds a diplomatic dimension to the aircraft procurement, which has emerged as a significant element of Bangladesh–US commercial engagement.
The signing ceremony is expected to be attended by senior representatives from both governments, alongside executives from Boeing and Biman.
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury – Finance Minister
M. Rashiduzzaman Millat – Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister
Humaiun Kobir – State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mahdi Amin – Prime Minister’s spokesperson
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun – Chairman of Invest Bangladesh
Asad Alam Siam – Foreign Secretary
Bangladesh’s ambassador to Washington
Rumee Akhtar Hossain – Biman Chairman
Howard Lutnick – US Secretary of Commerce
Christopher Landau – US Deputy Secretary of State
William Kimmitt – Under Secretary of Commerce
S. Paul Kapur – Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs
Vinay Chawla – Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs
Dr. Brendan Nelson AO, Senior Vice President of Boeing and President of Boeing Global
Nelson is scheduled to lead the Boeing delegation and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Rahman at approximately 4:30 p.m., following the signing ceremony.
Lutnick and Landau are also scheduled to deliver brief remarks during the ceremony, according to the prime minister’s programme schedule.
The potential acquisition comes as Biman Bangladesh Airlines seeks to strengthen its fleet and expand its international operations.
An expanded aircraft fleet could provide the airline with additional capacity to:
Introduce new international destinations and increase frequencies on existing routes.
Improve passenger connectivity through Dhaka.
Support rising demand for international travel.
Enhance operational flexibility and long-term fleet planning.
Strengthen Bangladesh’s role in regional and international air transportation.
However, the operational impact will depend on the aircraft types selected, delivery schedules, financing arrangements and how the new aircraft are deployed across Biman’s network.
The aircraft types, engine configurations, delivery timeline and financial terms of the proposed additional 11-aircraft agreement have not been specified in the information provided. These details will be important in assessing the scale of the fleet expansion and its impact on Biman’s future operations.
The planned agreement represents another major development in Bangladesh’s aviation relationship with the United States.
For Boeing, the proposed order would strengthen its commercial presence in Bangladesh and add to its business with the country’s national carrier. For Biman, the agreement could provide additional capacity to support its ambitions for network growth and improved passenger services.
The development also follows the April agreement for 14 aircraft and the September 1 correspondence between Trump and Rahman, bringing aircraft procurement into a broader context of bilateral commercial engagement.
If signed as scheduled, the new agreement would raise Biman’s planned Boeing acquisitions under the two agreements to 25 aircraft, representing a substantial commitment to future fleet expansion.
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