The 11-aircraft package adds long-haul widebody capacity and narrowbody range, taking Biman’s Boeing order book this year to 25 jets

Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ latest agreement with Boeing will add five 787-10 Dreamliner widebody aircraft and six 737-8 narrowbody jets to the national carrier’s future fleet, revealing the configuration of the much-anticipated 11-aircraft package signed in New York.

The mix gives Biman five additional high-capacity widebodies for long-haul operations and six single-aisle aircraft for regional and medium-haul network expansion.

Biman Board Chairman Rumi A Hossain and Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing Brad McMullen signed the supplementary agreement on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The latest agreement follows Biman’s April 30 order for 14 Boeing aircraft—eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s—valued at approximately US$3.7 billion.

Together, the two agreements take Biman’s Boeing order book this year to 25 aircraft: 13 Boeing 787-10s, two 787-9s and 10 Boeing 737-8s.

That configuration means 15 of the 25 aircraft will be widebody Dreamliners, while the remaining 10 will be narrowbody 737-8s.

Widebody capacity

The five additional 787-10s are particularly significant for Biman’s long-haul capacity plans.

Boeing said the 787-10 would provide higher capacity to complement Biman’s existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.

The type would allow the flag carrier to add seats on high-demand international routes while retaining commonality with its existing Dreamliner operation.

Biman already operates Boeing 787s alongside 777 and 737 Next-Generation aircraft across its international network, serving destinations and major hubs in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Europe.

The six new 737-8s, meanwhile, would strengthen the airline’s single-aisle operation.

Boeing said the 737-8 provides greater range for Biman’s narrowbody network, potentially giving the carrier greater flexibility in deploying single-aisle aircraft across regional and medium-haul markets.

The combination therefore addresses two different requirements in Biman’s fleet strategy: additional widebody capacity for longer and higher-density international services and more narrowbody aircraft for regional network expansion.

“Today’s supplementary agreement marks an important step in Biman’s ongoing fleet modernisation and network expansion programme,” Hossain said.

“This order has been placed in line with the specific requirements of our fleet plan. Our longstanding, effective and mutually cooperative relationship with Boeing has given us confidence in aircraft delivery and subsequent support arrangements,” he added.

Hossain said the airline was seeking to strengthen its network and capacity to meet growing travel demand from people in Bangladesh, expatriate Bangladeshis, business travellers and tourists.

“This agreement is part of a comprehensive and well-planned long-term strategy to further strengthen the country’s international air connectivity in the years ahead,” he said.

25-aircraft Boeing pipeline

The latest agreement significantly expands Biman’s Boeing commitment.

Under the April agreement, Biman ordered eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s. Adding five more 787-10s and six 737-8s changes the total Boeing configuration to:

13 × Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner

2 × Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

10 × Boeing 737-8

Total: 25 aircraft

The configuration gives Biman a future Boeing order book weighted towards widebody aircraft, with 15 Dreamliners against 10 single-aisle 737-8s.

Deliveries of the original 14-aircraft package are scheduled from November 2031 to October 2035.

However, neither Biman nor Boeing disclosed the price, financing arrangements or delivery schedule for the additional 11 aircraft.

Boeing said the addition of the 737-8 and 787-10 would strengthen Biman’s established Boeing fleet and provide commonality across its operations.

The manufacturer said the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families offer 20% to 25% better fuel efficiency compared with the aircraft they replace.

McMullen said the follow-on order reflected Biman’s strategic approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth.

“These additional 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes will deliver the efficiency, versatility and reliability Biman needs to support Bangladesh’s growing role in global aviation,” he said.

Airbus remains in picture

The Boeing expansion comes while Biman is also considering a separate acquisition of 10 Airbus aircraft—four A350-900 widebodies and six A321neo narrowbodies.

If that programme proceeds alongside the Boeing purchases, Biman would have a pipeline of 35 new aircraft from the two manufacturers.

The proposed combined configuration would comprise 19 new widebody aircraft—13 Boeing 787-10s, two 787-9s and four Airbus A350-900s—and 16 narrowbodies comprising 10 Boeing 737-8s and six Airbus A321neos.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, speaking after the Boeing signing, said Bangladesh needed additional aircraft as its aviation sector expands and plans are developed for new international routes.

“Bangladesh will purchase aircraft based on its needs. Bangladesh’s aviation sector is expanding, and there are plans to open new routes. Therefore, new aircraft are required,” he said.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, senior Bangladesh officials and high-level US government and Boeing representatives attended the New York signing.

A Boeing delegation later paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.