NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with Boeing on Wednesday, Sept. 23, to buy 11 more aircraft, bringing its Boeing orders this year to 25. The two companies signed the deal in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.
The new order covers five 787-10 Dreamliners and six 737-8 jets. It adds to Biman’s April purchase of 14 aircraft: eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s. Biman valued the earlier agreement at approximately $3.7 billion. The airline and Boeing have not disclosed the price, financing terms or delivery schedule for the additional 11 planes.
Biman Chairman Rumee A. Hossain and Boeing Senior Vice President Brad McMullen signed the agreement. Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir attended, along with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Hossain said the purchase follows Biman’s fleet plan and will help the airline expand its international network. Biman currently operates Boeing 787, 777 and older 737 aircraft on routes linking Bangladesh with destinations in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The purchase has also drawn attention to Bangladesh’s commercial ties with the United States. Earlier this month, Kobir rejected suggestions that U.S. pressure drove the decision. He said Bangladesh would buy aircraft according to its aviation needs, including plans to open more routes. President Donald Trump separately thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in a letter for choosing Boeing aircraft.
A Boeing delegation met Rahman after the signing, according to the prime minister’s adviser, Mahdi Amin. Biman is also considering a separate proposal to acquire 10 Airbus aircraft, but it has not announced an order for those planes.
