Airbus revises Biman offer after Boeing’s $3.7b deal
The European company recently placed a fresh proposal before Biman, offering four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets
ATT Correspondent 
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has submitted a revised proposal to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, reducing its earlier offer from 14 aircraft to 10 following the airline’s recent multibillion-dollar agreement with rival manufacturer Boeing.
According to sources at Airbus and Biman, the European company recently placed a fresh proposal before Biman’s techno-finance committee, offering four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets.
The revised proposal came shortly after Biman signed a $3.7 billion agreement with Boeing on April 30 to purchase 14 aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Industry insiders said Airbus scaled down its earlier proposal in an effort to remain competitive in Bangladesh’s long-term aviation expansion plans.
Previously, Airbus had proposed supplying 10 A350 wide-body aircraft and four A320neo narrow-body jets.
The Airbus A321neo, a larger version of the A320neo family, can carry approximately 180 to 220 passengers and is widely used on medium-haul international routes.
An Airbus source said the company has maintained continuous engagement with Biman and the Bangladesh government even after the Boeing agreement, reports national English daily The Business Standard.
“We have been continuously engaged with Biman, even before the Boeing deal. After submitting the revised proposal, we have seen a positive approach from the Bangladesh government,” the source said.
On May 5, Airbus Vice President Edward Delahaye paid a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam at the ministry’s conference room in Dhaka.
State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, ministry secretary Fahmida Akhter and Biman Managing Director Kaiser Sohel Ahmed were also present at the meeting.
During the discussion, Airbus expressed interest in supporting Biman in developing a mixed fleet structure combining aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus.
Officials said the government also expressed willingness to continue working with Airbus regarding future fleet expansion initiatives.
An Airbus spokesperson for South Asia said the company does not comment publicly on ongoing commercial discussions with customers.
Biman spokesperson Boshra Islam said the national carrier regularly receives proposals from global aircraft manufacturers.
“As a client, we engage with manufacturers because we require aircraft. But receiving proposals does not necessarily mean we will purchase aircraft,” she said.
The renewed Airbus proposal comes as the government reviews a long-term roadmap to expand Biman’s fleet to 47 aircraft by FY2034-35 as part of efforts to modernise the airline and position Bangladesh as a regional aviation and cargo hub.
Airbus officials indicated that if Biman opts for a mixed fleet strategy, deliveries could begin by 2033.
Biman currently operates 19 aircraft, including 14 manufactured by Boeing.
The latest developments reflect the continuing competition between Airbus and Boeing over Biman’s future fleet acquisition plans.
Although Airbus has not yet secured an aircraft order from Biman, company representatives said discussions remain ongoing and the proposal has not been rejected.
Diplomatic sources said several European countries, including France, the United Kingdom and Germany, have encouraged Bangladesh to consider Airbus aircraft as part of a balanced procurement strategy.
Airbus gained momentum in Bangladesh following the 2023 visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and subsequent discussions involving a possible purchase of Airbus A350 aircraft, including freighters.
Meanwhile, Boeing has maintained its strong position within Biman’s fleet through long-term cooperation and a broad range of aircraft offerings, including Dreamliners, freighters and narrow-body jets.
Officials said the Bangladesh government had also committed to procuring 25 Boeing aircraft during tariff negotiations with the United States in August 2025.
As delivery of newly ordered aircraft will take several years, the government is also considering leasing aircraft over the next five years, preferably through dry-lease arrangements, to address short-term capacity shortages.
