Biman Bangladesh said to be in continued talks over Airbus A350 and A321neo order

Bangladesh's civil aviation and tourism ministry says talks with Airbus are continuing over four A350-900s and six A321neos for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Speaking at a briefing on 29 September, civil aviation minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is working towards a sustainable mixed fleet, with the balance of widebody and narrowbody aircraft set by passenger demand and the shape of Biman's network.

Biman's current jet fleet is all Boeing, and the carrier has committed to more Boeing purchases. Earlier this year it agreed to buy 14 aircraft: eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737 Max 8s. Five more 787-10s and six additional Max 8s followed. Deliveries under the 25-aircraft expansion are due to start in 2031, though Millat said the carrier has asked for at least one aircraft in 2027-28. The narrowbody arrivals are intended to replace older 737-800s.

An Airbus fleet renewal had looked likely three years ago, after a UK-Bangladesh bilateral agreement covering aviation. That arrangement was reached while Sheikh Hasina Wazed was in office; she was removed from power the following year.

Millat also said Biman wants to follow Ethiopian Airlines' expansion model. The African carrier's fleet has grown considerably, while Biman operates fewer than 20 aircraft and Bangladesh's GDP is higher than Ethiopia's.