No political pressure, Europe advocating for fair, transparent evaluation of Airbus proposal: Executive VP Wersch

Wouter van Wersch, the executive vice-president international at Airbus, visited Dhaka in late November this year. During his visit, he met with a range of Bangladeshi stakeholders, including Civil Aviation Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin and Md Shafiqur Rahman, the managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, to discuss how Airbus can best support Bangladesh's aviation needs. 

He also held a roundtable meeting with the ambassadors and envoys of the EU, France, Spain, and Germany, as well as the UK High Commissioner, underscoring the strong European commitment behind Airbus's engagement in the country.

He gave an interview to Kamran Siddiqui, Senior Staff Correspondent at The Business Standard, at a city hotel on 25 November. 

What was the objective of your mission, and which officials did you meet?

We have a packed agenda. We are meeting key stakeholders to express our commitment to Bangladesh and our desire to grow together. This important visit is part of Airbus's ongoing effort to partner with Biman Bangladesh Airlines on its fleet modernisation. 

With a strong interest in supporting the broader development of Bangladesh's aerospace sector, our vision is to build a truly strategic partnership. This commitment includes fostering a comprehensive aviation ecosystem in the country, encompassing training, maintenance, and human capital development.

What proposal have you offered to Biman, and what aircraft numbers and types are included?

We cannot disclose the details of our proposal to Biman, but we always comply with Biman's requests and the timelines set by the Techno-Financial Committee. Whenever Biman asks us to revise something, we respond promptly and provide the best possible answer.

The A321neo and A350 are very successful products, which means lead times are long. That is why we encourage all customers — including Biman — to decide early to secure delivery slots.

In our proposal, the number of aircraft is 14. We are following Biman's requirements exactly, just as we do in any global tender. We offer the appropriate economic and commercial conditions, and we believe our products bring strong value and profitability potential for Biman.

Bangladesh is in a political transition under the caretaker government. Do you think your proposal can progress during this period?

We cannot comment on the government. Biman is our customer, and we are counting on them to move the deal forward. We have seen the same information in the media regarding political decisions. What matters to us is that our offers are evaluated on their own merits.

The government has announced the purchase of 25 Boeing aircraft. Does Biman actually need more aircraft after this engagement? And given the current crew shortages, can they utilise additional aircraft effectively?

Your question has two parts.

On the market, yes, the market is big enough. Bangladesh has significant traffic. The presence of Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, and Turkish Airlines — all operating large aircraft to Dhaka — demonstrates the strength of the market. Biman can certainly capture a larger share.

On utilisation, with the right aircraft, Biman can compete more effectively. The new Dhaka terminal (the Third Terminal) will help optimise operations. So yes, there is room for more than 25 aircraft. We believe strongly in the growth potential of Bangladesh's aviation sector. With the new terminal and the right fleet, Biman can grow significantly.

Did you ask Biman whether they have already committed to purchasing 25 Boeing aircraft?

That question is for Biman or the government to answer, not us. We support Biman in its evaluation process, which is the proper way to purchase aircraft. Our focus is entirely on that process.

Is it ethically appropriate for the government to announce the purchase of 25 Boeing aircraft while the Techno-Financial Committee is still evaluating both offers?

We have all seen the same press reports, but we cannot judge the reality behind them. What we do know is that we have the right products and have worked hard to submit strong proposals. We hope the evaluation will be based on the merits of the offers. We want the decision to be factual, considering commercial, technical, and capacity-building value.

European ambassadors are publicly advocating for Airbus's inclusion. Critics say this amounts to pressure similar to Boeing's. How do you respond?

There is no political pressure. Airbus is an important European company, and Bangladesh–Europe relations are strong. That is why ambassadors speak up. They support us in many countries, not just Bangladesh. They are advocating for a fair and transparent evaluation — the same as we are. The decision must be based on the merits of the offers.

Is the EU using its export leverage to pressure Bangladesh into buying Airbus aircraft and reducing the trade deficit?

I am not in the EU. Europe seeks a level playing field and a factual evaluation. We do not want the choice of aircraft to be political. The decision should be based on the merits of the offers, not politics.

Some experts say a mixed fleet is a burden. What is your observation?

Introducing Airbus will not be more expensive. Even if Biman continues with Boeing, they would still need training for the new aircraft. We have helped around 80 airlines transition from Boeing to Airbus. Our cockpit commonality — from the A321 to the A350 — saves significant costs because pilots can operate multiple aircraft types.

Of course, we would love for Biman to become an all-Airbus fleet, but that will take time. If Biman chooses a mixed fleet, we are ready. Many airlines operate mixed fleets, but Airbus offers major efficiency advantages due to cross-type commonality.

What is the status of defence and satellite cooperation, including the C295, helicopters, and the Earth observation satellite?

Beyond the Biman deal, we are eager to expand cooperation on Earth observation satellites, and discussions are ongoing. Bangladesh currently operates a small fleet of C295s, and there may be interest in additional units. We also see opportunities in helicopters for the Air Force. Our defence products have been operating in Bangladesh for more than 10 years, and we continue to support them.

Regarding the Earth observation satellite, we are engaging to explain its benefits in areas such as agriculture, climate monitoring, maritime surveillance, security, and tax revenue. Our aim is long-term collaboration.