Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today urged Airbus to deliver at least one aircraft to Biman Bangladesh Airlines by 2028 at the latest, to help ease its fleet shortage.

“We are currently facing difficulties in meeting passenger demand because of a fleet shortage. I therefore request the Airbus president to deliver at least one aircraft by 2028. This is a request from me, from us and from Bangladesh,” he said.

The minister made the request at a ceremony marking the signing of an agreement to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft at a city hotel on Wednesday evening.

Addressing Airbus’s regional president, Millat stressed the need for early delivery to enable the national flag carrier to serve more passengers.

He said demand for safe and reliable air connectivity was growing alongside Bangladesh’s economic progress, making fleet expansion essential.

Biman currently carries about 20 percent of the country’s air passengers, while other airlines serve the remaining 80 percent, he said.

The minister described the Airbus acquisition as an important step towards expanding Biman’s own fleet and developing a sustainable mixed fleet.

The new-generation aircraft would help the airline operate more efficiently in line with market demand and route requirements, he said.

“Our objective is clear. We want Biman to become one of the best airlines, certainly with both Airbus and Boeing. This requires building the right fleet for the right network, supported by appropriate infrastructure and operational efficiency,” he said.

Millat also urged Biman’s officials and employees to uphold professionalism and service standards, saying new aircraft alone could not make the airline outstanding.

Biman’s future would depend on the professionalism, discipline, efficiency and dedication of its workforce, he said.

Every service provided, every flight operated and every decision taken by its employees represents Bangladesh, the minister added.

Turning to cargo security, Millat said the European Union had treated cargo and mail originating from Bangladesh as high risk since June 2017.

Bangladesh had taken the necessary measures to address the concerns raised at that time, he said, seeking EU cooperation in securing the early withdrawal of the restrictions.

Citing a UK Department for Transport assessment dated July 17, 2026, he said Osmani International Airport achieved a score of 98 percent and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport 94 percent.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Biman Managing Director Kaizer Sohail Ahmed, Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Chairman Abul Kalam Azad Siddique and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury also spoke.

Other speakers included Airbus India and South Asia President and Managing Director Jürgen Westermeier, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, German Ambassador Dr Rudiger Lotz, French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Sistiaga and EU Ambassador Michael Miller.

The speakers said the agreement would strengthen Biman’s operational capacity, support workforce skills development and contribute to Bangladesh’s ambition to become an aviation hub.

They also described it as opening a new chapter in cooperation between Bangladesh and the European Union.