Biman Bangladesh places firm order for 10 Airbus jets

Biman Chairman Rumee A. Hossain and Airbus India and South Asia President Jürgen Westermeier signed the agreement in Dhaka on 7 October 2026. Airbus announced the firm order that day.

The deal covers four A350-900 widebodies and six A321neo single-aisles. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said the order marked "a significant milestone" in the manufacturer's partnership with Biman.

"This order marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, as it embarks on this important phase of fleet modernisation," de Saint-Exupéry said.

Hossain said Bangladesh's 200 million people and 15 million-strong diaspora supported the expansion. He called the plan "a measured and reasonable ambition."

Pipeline and fleet

The order lifts Biman's combined Airbus and Boeing pipeline to 35 aircraft: 19 widebodies and 16 narrowbodies. That is nearly double the 19 aircraft Biman operates today.

Biman's current jet fleet is all Boeing: four 777-300ERs, four 787-8s, two 787-9s and four 737-800s. Five Dash 8-400 turboprops complete the 19-aircraft fleet. The carrier flies to 22 international destinations from Dhaka, with Toronto via Istanbul on the 787-9 as its longest service.

Biman previously operated A310s and leased A330s, but it has no Airbus jets in the current fleet. The A350 and A321neo are new types for the airline.

Boeing orders come first

Biman committed to Boeing before Airbus. A 30 April 2026 deal covered 14 aircraft, eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s, at about $3.7 billion. A supplementary agreement for 11 more, five 787-10s and six 737-8s, followed in September.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat put the second Boeing deal at about $2.7 billion. That takes Boeing's total to 25 aircraft and roughly $6.4 billion, The Daily Star reported.

For the Airbus order, the same report put a catalogue value of about $2.05 billion at Airbus's last published 2018 list prices. That is a list price, not a negotiated price. Airbus and Biman did not disclose the order value or a final delivery schedule.

Airbus had discussed as many as 14 aircraft, including 10 A350s, before the package shrank to four A350-900s and six A321neos, Air Data News reported.

North America is the goal, FAA is the gate

Airbus said the aircraft will support routes to North America, Europe and the Middle East. Airbus rates the A350-900 at up to 9,700 nautical miles. The A321neos will serve regional and medium-haul markets.

US flights remain blocked. Bangladesh must secure FAA Category 1 status first, InsideFlyer reported.

Airbus claims the A350-900 burns 25% less fuel and emits 25% less CO2 than previous-generation competitor aircraft. Those are manufacturer figures, not results verified on Biman's network.

Delivery schedule and near-term capacity

Local reports said deliveries could begin in 2033 and continue through 2036 or 2037. Air Data News reported that earlier government statements had indicated the first aircraft from this order could arrive from 2031.

Boeing deliveries begin in late 2031, with most arriving by 2035, InsideFlyer reported. Millat said Dhaka asked Boeing for at least one aircraft in 2027 or 2028.

For nearer-term capacity, Biman is trying to lease 10 aircraft but had not secured them, Millat said, according to Aviation A2Z. Millat named the Middle East as a market where Biman could add flights with more aircraft. He said the carrier is looking at Sydney, a second Japan service and a possible return to New York.

Millat put Biman's share of the country's air travel market at about 20%, Aerotime reported. The ministry said Biman could carry only a little over 20% of passenger demand, with foreign carriers taking the rest.

The order adds capacity on paper. The leasing effort and delivery dates will decide when Biman can use it.