National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to sign an agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus by August 31 for the purchase of 10 new aircraft, marking the airline's second major fleet acquisition this year following its USD 3.7 billion order for 14 Boeing aircraft.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat confirmed that the government has decided to proceed with the Airbus purchase.
"The government has decided to move ahead with the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft. We expect to sign the agreement by August 31," Millat told reporters.
The minister added that the aircraft will not enter service immediately, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2031.
According to government officials, the proposed Airbus order will consist of:
Millat said commercial negotiations remain ongoing, and financial details, including pricing and financing arrangements, will be announced after the agreement is formally signed.
"The financial details, pricing, and other terms of the procurement will be disclosed after the agreement is signed," he said.
As both Boeing and Airbus deliveries are not expected before the next decade, Biman plans to expand its operational capacity through leased aircraft.
The government intends to lease 10 aircraft over the coming year to address the airline's current fleet shortage while waiting for factory deliveries.
"Until the new aircraft are delivered, we will have to strengthen the fleet through leased aircraft," Millat added.
Momentum for the Airbus agreement increased during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in the United Kingdom.
According to Airbus sources, senior executives from Airbus and Biman met during the event to review the progress of negotiations and finalize a timeline for signing the agreement.
Sources also confirmed that Biman recently sent Airbus a formal letter expressing its intention to conclude the agreement by August 31.
Biman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Sohel Ahmed travelled to the United Kingdom on July 19 with four senior officials representing the airline's flight operations, engineering, and corporate planning departments to participate in the airshow discussions.
The negotiations followed a recent visit to Dhaka by Airbus Vice President Edward Delahaye, who held meetings with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister Millat, and senior Biman executives.
The Airbus acquisition forms part of the government's long-term aviation strategy aimed at expanding Biman's fleet to 47 aircraft by the 2034-35 fiscal year.
The broader objective is to modernize the airline, strengthen international connectivity, increase cargo capacity, and position Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.
Biman currently operates 19 aircraft, comprising:
Once both the Boeing and Airbus orders are fully delivered, Biman's fleet is expected to increase to 43 aircraft, with additional fleet growth likely through future acquisitions and leasing arrangements.
The proposed Airbus order comes after months of intensive diplomatic engagement by European governments and Airbus itself.
On Wednesday, ambassadors and representatives from France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the European Union met Civil Aviation Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat.
Following the meeting, the ministry stated that the government had expressed interest in acquiring Airbus aircraft to develop a sustainable mixed fleet while protecting Bangladesh's national interests.
The European delegation also discussed strengthening broader Bangladesh-EU cooperation, including civil aviation partnerships.
Competition between Boeing and Airbus over Biman's fleet strategy has continued for several years.
The previous Awami League administration had planned to acquire 10 Airbus aircraft, but following the political transition in August 2024, the interim government shifted its preference toward Boeing.
After taking office in February 2026, the BNP-led government reaffirmed that approach by signing a USD 3.7 billion agreement with Boeing for 14 aircraft.
Despite that decision, Airbus maintained active engagement with senior government officials while European diplomats continued advocating for a balanced fleet strategy.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously announced during his 2023 visit to Dhaka that Bangladesh had committed to purchasing 10 Airbus aircraft, although the plan was never formalized at the time.
While the government argues that operating both Boeing and Airbus aircraft would diversify the fleet and strengthen long-term resilience, aviation analysts note that mixed fleets typically involve higher operating costs.
Introducing Airbus aircraft alongside an overwhelmingly Boeing fleet would require additional pilot training, separate maintenance capabilities, spare-parts inventories, engineering support, and simulator infrastructure.
Critics therefore question whether the decision is primarily driven by operational requirements or influenced by diplomatic and trade considerations.
The government has not yet disclosed a detailed operational plan explaining how Biman would manage the additional costs associated with maintaining both aircraft types.
If the agreement is signed by August 31, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will become one of the relatively few South Asian carriers operating significant fleets from both Airbus and Boeing.
With deliveries scheduled from 2031 and interim fleet growth relying on leased aircraft, the Airbus order represents another major milestone in Bangladesh's long-term aviation expansion strategy. However, questions over fleet economics, operational efficiency, and the influence of international diplomacy are likely to remain central to the debate as the airline moves toward a mixed-fleet future.
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