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Hopes are alive for Airbus as the Aerospace giant has pitched a latest proposal to Biman Bangladesh Airlines to sell 10 aircraft, just weeks after Biman signed a $3.7 billion deal with US plane manufacturer Boeing.
According to Biman Bangladesh General Manager (Public Relations) Boshra Islam, Airbus has recently submitted a proposal to Biman for selling its aircraft.
‘We have received a fresh proposal from Airbus recently and our techno-finance committee is now evaluating it,’ Biman general manager (PR) Bushra Islam told BSS.
The European manufacturer has cut back its previous proposal in a strategic attempt to remain in contention for Bangladesh's long-term fleet expansion plans. Earlier, Airbus had reportedly proposed 14 aircraft, including 10 A350 wide-body jets and four A320neo narrow-body aircraft.
Developments are here as Biman formally signed an agreement with Boeing to acquire 14 aircraft — 8 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, 2 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 4 Boeing 737 MAX 8 — in a landmark deal financed by the US Export-Import Bank. Boeing is expected to deliver the newly ordered 14 aircraft between 2031 and 2035.
The latest Airbus push comes as the Bangladeshi government reviews a long-term roadmap to expand Biman's fleet to 47 aircraft by FY2034-35 as part of efforts to modernise the national carrier and position Bangladesh as a regional aviation and cargo hub.
According to an Airbus spokesperson for South Asia,
“We do not comment on discussions we might or might not be having with our customers.”
Airbus vice-president Edward Delahaye recently met civil aviation and tourism minister Afroza Khanam, state minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and senior Biman officials in Dhaka. During the discussion, Airbus expressed interest in helping Biman develop a mixed fleet structure.
He proposed a mixed-fleet strategy that would include Airbus aircraft alongside Boeing. In response, Bangladeshi officials expressed their commitment to working closely with the company regarding the future composition of Biman’s fleet.
The Boeing deal was tied to the former interim government's efforts to reduce Bangladesh’s trade deficit with the US and secure tariff relief.
During negotiations over a 37 percent reciprocal tariff, Dhaka initially signalled plans for 25 Boeing aircraft, later reduced to 20 percent tariff and then 19 percent under a 2026 trade agreement.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently operates a fleet dominated by Boeing aircraft, with 14 of its 19 planes from the US maker.
Biman Bangladesh’s Boeing deal concluded more than three years of competition between the US manufacturer and its European rival for the airline’s next major fleet order. During this period, both manufacturers repeatedly submitted proposals.
For the rival side of story, Airbus had gained momentum in 2023 following high-level European engagement linked to the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as references in a Bangladesh-UK joint statement regarding a possible purchase of 10 Airbus A350 aircraft, including freighters.
For now, Biman spokesperson Boshra Islam said the airline regularly receives proposals from different aircraft manufacturers.
"As a client, we engage with manufacturers because we require aircraft. But receiving proposals does not necessarily mean we will purchase aircraft."
Boeing, however, has retained its dominance in Biman's fleet through long-term engagement with policymakers and by offering a broad range of aircraft, including Dreamliners, freighters and narrow-body jets.
Some more Biman Bangladesh news from the past.....
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