Airbus deal marks start of broader partnership: French Ambassador

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet has said Biman Bangladesh Airlines' agreement with Airbus goes far beyond the purchase of aircraft, marking the beginning of a broader, long-term partnership in the aviation sector.

'What is signed today is much more than an aircraft purchase,' the ambassador said today, referring to the agreement signed between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Airbus on Wednesday.

According to the French embassy here, Airbus will provide a comprehensive support package, including training, spare parts and engineering assistance, to ensure the timely and successful entry into service of the new aircraft.

Under the agreement, Biman will acquire four Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft and six A321 narrow-body jets.

Séré-Charlet congratulated Biman and Airbus on the agreement, describing it as the beginning of a long-term partnership.

He said Airbus, headquartered in Toulouse, France, represents European industrial excellence and is itself the product of cooperation among several European countries.

Beyond supplying aircraft, Airbus has also expressed its willingness to work with Biman and the Bangladesh government to strengthen the broader aviation ecosystem, the ambassador said.

He said potential areas of cooperation include skills development, maintenance, branding and fleet planning.

The French envoy said the combination of Airbus narrow-body and wide-body aircraft would provide Biman with greater operational flexibility across regional and long-haul networks.

The aircraft mix is expected to bring improved fuel efficiency, lower seat-mile costs and greater commonality across the Airbus family, he added.

Séré-Charlet said France and Bangladesh have maintained a longstanding partnership based on mutual respect and shared ambition.

'France has a long-standing partnership with Bangladesh, built over decades of mutual respect and a shared vision,' he said.

He welcomed Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen its position internationally by developing a more competitive national airline capable of connecting the country more effectively with the rest of the world.
‘This ambition goes far beyond the acquisition of new, competitive aircraft’, the ambassador said.

He added that France stood ready to support Bangladesh’s modernisation and growth, including through the development of the broader civil aviation sector.

Biman signed the agreement with Airbus yesterday evening for 10 aircraft as part of its long-term fleet expansion programme.

The deal includes four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets. Airbus India and South Asia President and Managing Director Jürgen Westermeier and Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir witnessed the signing at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.

With the Airbus deal and separate agreements for 25 Boeing aircraft, Biman’s planned acquisition pipeline now stands at 35 jets.