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The government is moving to finalise a 14-aircraft Boeing purchase while pursuing interim Airbus leasing to bridge a five-year delivery gap, as part of a broader fleet modernisation and capacity expansion plan for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the interim government has in principle approved the acquisition of 14 Boeing aircraft, with only the formal signing of the deal remaining.
"The interim government finalised to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft ... only signing the deal is left ... now in principle we are awaiting formal signing," he told BSS on Saturday.
He also noted that procurement of aircraft and energy resources from the United States could contribute to narrowing the bilateral trade imbalance between Dhaka and Washington.
However, the state minister indicated that the new government may review the Boeing offer before signing the purchase agreement.
Aviation sector insiders said the proposed order, valued at roughly $3.7 billion at list prices, includes a mix of wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners and narrow-body 737 MAX aircraft, aimed at strengthening both long-haul and regional operations over the next decade.
However, with deliveries expected to take up to five years and extend into the next decade, the government has opted for interim measures to address immediate fleet shortages.
"To ensure smooth operations during this period, we are planning to lease aircraft, preferably through dry leasing, for the next five years," Millat said.
