Demand surge drives local airlines to map new skies for 2026
They plan routes to London, Rome, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai and others
Highlights:
- Bangladesh's four airlines plan international expansion in 2026 despite aircraft shortages
- South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe are key targets
- Foreign carriers control over 70% of Bangladesh's international air travel
- Global aircraft shortages and leasing constraints are slowing expansion plans
- Migrant worker and leisure travel continue driving international passenger growth
- Expansion timelines depend largely on securing leased aircraft
Bangladesh's four local airlines are preparing for an aggressive push into international markets in 2026 despite a global shortage of aircraft and tight leasing conditions slowing their plans to take on foreign rivals that dominate the country's skies.
The carriers are targeting South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, where demand from migrant workers and leisure travellers remains strong.
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International passenger numbers are rising. Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport handled about 12.5 million international passengers in 2024, nearly 7% more than a year earlier. Yet, airlines say the post-pandemic recovery, coupled with manufacturing bottlenecks and delivery delays, has made it difficult to secure aircraft for new routes.
More than 70% of Bangladesh's international air travel market is currently controlled by 37 foreign airlines.
Industry insiders said the three private carriers, US-Bangla, NovoAir and Air Astra, together plan to open at least 15 new international routes. State-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines also aims to add more destinations beyond its Dhaka to Karachi relaunch on 29 January, subject to aircraft availability.
At present, only US-Bangla and Biman operate international flights, while NovoAir and Air Astra remain focused on domestic services.
Between 2021 and 2025, about 50 lakh Bangladeshis migrated overseas for work, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training. Although domestic air travel has softened on some routes due to improved road and rail links, overall passenger traffic continues to grow, driven mainly by outbound labour and regional travel.
US-Bangla targets Europe and the Middle East
US-Bangla has spent several years preparing to enter the European market.
"We have been working extensively to start operations on the London and Rome routes," Kamrul Islam said. "It is not just about submitting applications. Airlines must meet strict international standards. Our target is to launch European flights within this year."
The airline also plans to begin flights to Madinah this year and needs at least three to four additional aircraft to support its expansion.
Capacity constraints, however, limit how quickly it can respond to changes in demand. "If India suddenly relaxes its visa regime, we will not be able to scale up flights immediately on high-demand routes like Chennai or Kolkata," Kamrul Islam said. "Earlier we operated daily flights to Chennai, which have now fallen to three a week. Kolkata has dropped from 14 flights a week to just three or four."
NovoAir eyes six new international routes
After three years of attempts to secure aircraft, NovoAir is hoping 2026 will mark its entry into international markets.
The airline has been trying to lease planes since 2023 but has struggled due to the global shortage of lease-ready aircraft. Its original plan was to acquire Airbus A321s, later revised to include A320s, but it has yet to secure any jets. Efforts to lease aircraft under the ACMI model, which includes crew, maintenance and insurance, have also been constrained by limited availability.
Managing Director Mofizur Rahman said a delegation would travel to Dublin later this month to hold talks with leasing firms. "If we can secure aircraft there, we hope to launch our international network by mid-year," he said.
NovoAir's initial targets are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in Southeast Asia, and Dubai, Sharjah and Muscat in the Middle East.
Air Astra targets South and Southeast Asia
Air Astra also plans to enter international markets once it expands its fleet.
"We expect to receive new aircraft through leasing by the first half of 2026," said Sakib Hasan Shuvo, the airline's deputy manager of public relations. "After that, we plan to launch international routes, with Nepal, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore as our primary targets."
He said the airline has already received frequency allocations for 12 international routes from aviation authorities.
Biman's plans hinge on aircraft
Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently operates 22 international routes and plans to expand into East Asia, Europe and the United States. But aircraft availability remains the key constraint.
"Our expansion depends entirely on acquiring new aircraft through leasing," said Biman spokesperson Boshra Islam.
Although Biman's board has approved the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft, officials said it would take at least four to five years before the first deliveries. In the meantime, the airline is negotiating with lessors to bridge the gap.
Earlier this year, Biman Managing Director Md Shafiqur Rahman said the airline was directly engaging leasing companies to overcome the shortage, which has so far prevented the launch of new routes.
Aircraft shortage slows expansion
Local airlines began planning route expansions to Southeast Asia and the Middle East in mid-2023, but global supply disruptions have delayed execution, sector insiders said.
The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted supply chains, while production halts and delivery delays, particularly involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, have created a worldwide shortage of narrow-body jets. As a result, airlines have struggled to secure planes through leasing.
"We have been consistently adding aircraft, and with recent additions our fleet now stands at 25, mostly leased," said Kamrul Islam, spokesperson for US-Bangla Airlines. "But a post-Covid surge in demand has created a global aircraft shortage. Manufacturers and lessors have not been able to keep up, especially for Boeing aircraft."
He said the company expects conditions to ease gradually as production normalises.
