Bangladesh Flag Carrier Clears Talks for 14 New 787s and 737 MAX Jets
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has approved plans to begin formal negotiations with Boeing for up to 14 new aircraft, a mix of widebody 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX 8s. The airline’s board signed off on the intent at a meeting on Tuesday, December 30, allowing Biman to move into pricing and contract discussions—though no binding purchase has been finalized yet.
14 aircraft under consideration
Under the proposal approved by the board, Biman would add:
-
2x Boeing 787-9
-
8x Boeing 787-10
-
4x Boeing 737 MAX 8
For now, this is an authorization to negotiate, not a signed acquisition. The airline still needs to agree with Boeing on pricing, delivery timing, and other commercial terms before any contract is executed.
A deal tied to a broader Bangladesh–U.S. trade push
The planned purchase is being framed as part of a wider set of Bangladesh–United States trade discussions, following earlier negotiations linked to reciprocal tariff talks in which Bangladesh signaled interest in purchasing up to 25 Boeing aircraft. The new 14-aircraft plan fits within that broader context and would further deepen Biman’s reliance on U.S.-built jets.
Boeing already dominates Biman’s fleet
Biman’s fleet is already heavily Boeing-weighted. Out of 19 aircraft, 14 are Boeing-manufactured, with the remaining aircraft made up of De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops. The additional Boeing jets would reinforce that direction, as Biman looks to expand international reach and compete more aggressively on routes where local carriers are estimated to hold only a minority share of the market.
Airbus interest still lingers, but clarity is limited
While Boeing is currently front and center, Biman has also expressed interest in Airbus aircraft in recent years. The airline announced intentions in 2023 to pursue ten Airbus A350s (including freighter and passenger variants) during a visit to Dhaka by French President Emmanuel Macron. However, the current status of that plan remains unclear.
Growth ambitions and long-haul aspirations
Biman has repeatedly signaled interest in strengthening both its narrowbody and widebody fleets. The carrier has also been linked to periodic discussions about restoring service to the U.S., including previous interest in New York—though timelines and execution have repeatedly slipped.
Bottom Line
Biman has cleared the internal hurdle needed to start serious negotiations with Boeing for 14 new aircraft, led by 787-10 growth capacity plus a small 737 MAX 8 addition. The next step is the hard part: locking in price, delivery slots, and final contract terms before this becomes a confirmed order.
