Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to expand its fleet with new aircraft, with four planes expected to be leased in the short term. For the long term, the airline is reviewing proposals from Airbus and Boeing for new purchases.

According to airline sources, the urgent leasing of at least four aircraft has been planned to meet flight demands during the Hajj season and on international routes. Currently, Biman’s fleet consists of 21 aircraft. Due to the shortage of planes, flights on several international routes have been reduced, and some routes have been temporarily suspended.

Biman’s General Manager for Public Relations, Busra Islam, said, “Even if we purchase new aircraft, they are not expected to arrive before 2032. Until then, there will be shortages in flight operations during busy periods like the Hajj season. Therefore, leasing four aircraft is the immediate solution.”

In September 2023, during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Dhaka, the then-government was promised 10 Airbus aircraft. Following this, Biman’s board approved the purchase of four aircraft, with each plane priced at approximately USD 180 million (TK 2196 crore 14 lakh 04). Airbus had proposed a non-refundable commitment fee of USD 5 million (TK 61 crore 39 thousand) per aircraft.

In contrast, Boeing offered similar aircraft at a comparatively lower price, with a commitment fee of only USD 1 million (TK 12 crore 20 lakh 7 thousand 800) per plane. However, following the political upheaval on August 5, 2024, and the fall of the ruling Awami League government, the Airbus deal could not be executed. The interim government reviewed all proposals and temporarily suspended the negotiations.

Recently, discussions on new aircraft procurement have resumed. Boeing has submitted a fresh proposal, while Airbus has revised its previous offer, lowering the price to make it more competitive. Sources say both proposals are being carefully examined to ensure that decisions are based on financial logic and actual operational needs rather than political considerations.

Experts note that completing the leasing process quickly is critical to maintaining normal flight operations. At the same time, ensuring transparency and thorough evaluation in long-term procurement plans remains a major challenge for the airline.