Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Thursday said its agreement to acquire 11 more Boeing aircraft is part of a comprehensive long-term strategy to strengthen Bangladesh\u2019s international air connectivity along with modernising the national flag carrier\u2019s fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biman and US aircraft manufacturer Boeing signed the supplementary agreement on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biman Board Chairman Rumi A Hossain and Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing Brad McMullen signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations, according to Biman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday\u2019s supplementary agreement marks an important step in Biman\u2019s ongoing fleet modernisation and network expansion programme,\u201d Hossain said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The supplementary agreement covers five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8 aircraft, according to Boeing, adding both long-haul wide-body and narrow-body capacity to Biman\u2019s future fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest purchase follows Biman\u2019s order for 14 Boeing aircraft earlier this year, bringing the flag carrier\u2019s Boeing order book for the year to 25 aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earlier agreement, signed on April 30 and valued at approximately $3.7 billion, covers eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Combined with the latest agreement, Biman\u2019s Boeing acquisition programme now comprises 13 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 737-8 aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d Hosain said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Biman, as the national flag carrier, remained committed to strengthening its network and capacity to meet the growing connectivity needs of people living in Bangladesh, expatriate Bangladeshis, business travellers and tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis agreement is part of a comprehensive and well-planned long-term strategy to further strengthen the country\u2019s international air connectivity in the years ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deliveries under the earlier 14-aircraft agreement are scheduled between November 2031 and October 2035. However, the price, financing arrangements and delivery schedule for the additional 11 aircraft were not disclosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boeing said the 787-10 would provide additional capacity to complement Biman\u2019s existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, while the 737-8 would provide greater range for the airline\u2019s single-aisle network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The addition of the two aircraft types would also allow Biman to maintain operational commonality with its existing Boeing fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biman currently operates Boeing 787, 777 and 737 Next-Generation aircraft on its international network, connecting Bangladesh with destinations and major hubs in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boeing said the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families offer 20 to 25 percent better fuel efficiency compared with the aircraft they replace, supporting Biman\u2019s fleet modernisation and international expansion plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McMullen said Biman\u2019s follow-on order reflected the airline\u2019s strategic approach to fleet renewal and capacity expansion as well as the longstanding partnership between the two companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese additional 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes will deliver the efficiency, versatility and reliability Biman needs to support Bangladesh\u2019s growing role in global aviation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Prime Minister\u2019s Adviser Mahdi Amin attended the signing ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau were also present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among others, US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt, Boeing Global Senior Vice President Brendan Nelson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur and Boeing Vice President for Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia Paul Righi attended the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking after the signing, Prime Minister\u2019s Adviser Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh required additional aircraft as its aviation sector expands and plans are taken to open new international routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBangladesh will purchase aircraft based on its needs. Bangladesh\u2019s aviation sector is expanding and there are plans to open new routes. Therefore, new aircraft are required,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Boeing delegation later paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to the adviser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biman is also considering a separate proposal for 10 Airbus aircraft\u2014four A350-900 wide-body jets and six A321neo narrow-body aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the Airbus acquisition proceeds, Biman\u2019s Boeing and Airbus acquisition programmes together would create a pipeline of 35 new aircraft as the national carrier pursues one of the largest fleet expansion programmes in its history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"