Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing for one of its biggest short-term fleet expansions, with plans to lease up to 10 aircraft by 2027 as the national flag carrier seeks to boost international capacity before its newly ordered Boeing jets begin arriving from 2031.

The move could take Biman's fleet from 19 aircraft to as many as 29—a 52.6 percent increase—and provide the airline with crucial capacity to increase frequencies on existing routes and launch services to new destinations.

“We plan to lease up to 10 aircraft within this year. This will enable us to increase flight frequencies on various international routes and expand services to new destinations,” State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat told Aviation Express.

Biman initially plans to lease four aircraft, although Millat said the number could increase depending on operational requirements and the carrier's network expansion strategy.

Bridging the delivery gap

The leasing drive comes as Biman faces a significant gap between its immediate expansion needs and the arrival of factory-fresh aircraft.

The carrier's leasing programme is separate from its planned procurement of 14 Boeing aircraft in a deal estimated at around US$3.7 billion. Those aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2031 and 2035.

With new-build aircraft from major manufacturers difficult to secure for near-term delivery, leasing offers Biman a faster route to additional capacity as Bangladesh's international passenger market continues to grow.

Millat said transparency would be a key priority in the process, with the government moving to appoint an international consultant to oversee the leasing programme.

“We want to ensure that the leasing process is conducted with complete transparency,” he said. “Around 40 applications have been received, and a qualified firm will be selected from among them to oversee the entire leasing process.”

Dreamliners first in line

Biman has already moved ahead with plans to dry lease three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for six years, targeting induction in early 2027.

Under a Request for Proposal issued on July 15, the airline invited aircraft owners, manufacturers, operators, airlines and leasing companies to submit offers for three 787-9s on 72-month leases.

The preferred delivery date is January 1, 2027, although aircraft available by February 28 may also be considered. The deadline for proposals is August 9.

Under a dry lease, Biman would receive the aircraft without crew, maintenance or insurance, retaining operational responsibility under its own Air Operator Certificate.

Each aircraft is expected to fly around 4,000 hours annually and accommodate more than 300 passengers in a two-class configuration. Biman has also set detailed requirements covering aircraft age, engines, maintenance status, avionics and international regulatory compliance.

The addition of three 787-9s would strengthen Biman's long-haul capacity at a time when the carrier is seeking to reinforce its presence across key international markets.

Boeing today, Airbus tomorrow?

Biman currently operates 19 aircraft: four Boeing 777-300ERs, four 787-8s, two 787-9s, four 737s and five Dash 8-400 turboprops.

While Boeing remains dominant in its jet fleet, Bangladesh is simultaneously exploring Airbus aircraft as part of a longer-term strategy to develop what the government describes as a sustainable mixed fleet.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam recently made the government's position explicit: “Our country needs both Boeing and Airbus. We will purchase both.”

The Airbus possibility gained further momentum during a meeting between Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister Millat and senior diplomats representing France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and the European Union.

Bangladesh conveyed its interest in potentially incorporating Airbus aircraft into Biman's future fleet, while stressing that procurement decisions would be guided by commercial requirements and national interests.

Competition heats up

Biman's leasing push comes as Bangladesh's aviation industry enters an unprecedented period of fleet expansion.

US-Bangla Airlines is preparing to add 21 leased Boeing 737-8 aircraft in 2027 under a programme valued at approximately US$1.11 billion, while Air Astra and Novoair are also pursuing additional aircraft and international network growth.

The expansion of domestic competitors coincides with growing interest among foreign carriers in Bangladesh, raising the stakes for Biman as it seeks to protect and expand its share of the international passenger market.

For the flag carrier, securing suitable aircraft at competitive lease rates and deploying them on commercially viable routes will therefore be critical.

If the full 10-aircraft plan materialises, Biman could enter 2027 with substantially greater capacity, giving it room to reinforce profitable routes, increase frequencies and explore new markets.

More importantly, the leasing programme could serve as a bridge between Biman's current fleet and its next generation of aircraft, allowing the airline to pursue immediate growth rather than wait until the first new Boeing deliveries begin in 2031.