Bangladesh has made a momentous decision to acquire 10 Airbus aircraft, signaling a notable departure from its long-standing reliance on Boeing aircraft. The agreement, which includes Airbus A350 wide-body airplanes, is in its final stages and involves the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd. This development follows a series of cooperation agreements, encompassing defense and Indo-Pacific affairs, discussed during a summit between the French President and Bangladesh Prime Minister.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently operates a fleet of over 20 Boeing aircraft, with a majority being wide-bodied, and a few Dash-8 turboprops acquired from the United States. The initial order for Airbus planes consists of two aircraft, with plans for an additional eight in subsequent phases. This strategic shift is aligned with the airline’s ambition to expand its fleet, particularly in response to the strong post-pandemic resurgence in air travel.