Airbus expresses interest in Biman fleet expansion
The minister and state minister concerned affirmed their commitment to working closely with Airbus on the matter.
Airbus Vice President Edward Delahaye called on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam this morning (5 May), with the European aircraft manufacturer expressing interest in helping build a mixed fleet for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Afroza, as well as State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, affirmed their commitment to working closely with Airbus on the matter.
Fahmida Akhtar, secretary of the ministry, and Biman boss Kaizer Sohel Ahmed were also present during the meeting at the Secretariat.
This comes after Biman on 30 April signed an agreement with US aviation giant Boeing to purchase 14 aircraft.
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It marks the largest fleet expansion in the airline's modern history and is expected to increase Biman's fleet size from 19 to 33 aircraft within the next decade, according to Biman sources.
The proposed order, valued at approximately $3.7 billion at list prices, equivalent to more than Tk45,000 crore at the current exchange rate, includes a mix of wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners and narrow-body Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, aimed at strengthening both long-haul and regional operations.
