Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Boeing have announced a new order with which the Bangladeshi national carrier continues the modernization and expansion of its fleet. It is the largest order in Biman’s history and includes a total of 14 aircraft from the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families.
According to Boeing’s press release, the order includes eight 787-10 aircraft, two 787-9 aircraft and four 737-8 aircraft. With this, Biman will introduce the 787-10, the largest version of the Dreamliner, to its fleet for the first time, while also placing its first order for the 737 MAX as part of the renewal of its narrowbody fleet.
The eight 787-10 aircraft are intended primarily for high-demand routes to the Middle East, while the two 787-9s will support the further development of long-haul operations to Europe and North America. The four 737-8 aircraft will be used on regional routes from Bangladesh to destinations in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.
Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said the new, technologically advanced and more efficient aircraft will modernize the fleet, improve operational performance and expand the carrier’s international network, further strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global aviation market.
Biman currently has 14 Boeing aircraft in its fleet, including the 787-9, 787-8, 777 and 737 Next-Generation aircraft. According to Boeing, the introduction of the 787-10 will enable the carrier to increase passenger and cargo capacity while improving fuel efficiency and lowering seat costs in the widebody segment.
The order for the 737-8 also marks an important step in the renewal of Biman’s narrowbody fleet. Boeing states that the 737 MAX and 787 families deliver a 20 to 25 percent improvement in fuel consumption compared with the aircraft they replace, which is one of the key elements of the fleet modernization strategy.
Paul Righi, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia, said the new order represents a continuation of the partnership with Biman and support for the carrier’s plans to modernize its fleet, expand its network and improve the passenger experience. He added that the 787-10 brings high efficiency and full operational commonality with Biman’s existing Dreamliners, while the 737-8 represents a logical transition from the current 737 fleet.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently flies from Dhaka to 22 international destinations, including major hubs in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Europe. The carrier’s longest route is the service to Toronto via Istanbul, operated with a 787-9 aircraft.
In its long-term market forecast, Boeing states that South Asia’s widebody fleet is expected to more than triple over the next 20 years, driven by growing demand for international travel to the Middle East, Europe and North America. Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ new order fits precisely into this broader trend of air traffic growth in the region.
