Biman’s $3.7bn Boeing deal set for signing tonight
The formal signing ceremony will take place at 7:30pm at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, with senior government officials, diplomats and aviation industry stakeholders expected to attend
ATT Correspondent 
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign a $3.7 billion aircraft procurement deal with US aerospace giant Boeing this evening, marking the largest fleet expansion initiative in the airline’s modern history.
The formal signing ceremony will take place at 7:30pm at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, with senior government officials, diplomats and aviation industry stakeholders expected to attend, according to sources at the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita will attend as chief guest, while Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will be present as guest of honour. State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and the Prime Minister’s Adviser M Humayun Kabir are expected to join as special guests. Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain will host the event, alongside US Ambassador Brent T Christensen.
Under the agreement, Biman will acquire 14 new aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 MAX jets. The acquisition is aimed at modernising the airline’s fleet, expanding long-haul capacity and strengthening regional connectivity amid rising passenger demand.
Officials said the wide-body Dreamliners will enhance services to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, while the narrow-body 737 MAX aircraft will support short- and medium-haul routes within the region.
The deal comes at a strategic moment as the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport nears completion, a development seen as critical to Bangladesh’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub.
The agreement is also expected to conclude more than three years of competition between Boeing and European manufacturer Airbus over Biman’s next major fleet order. Airbus gained momentum in 2023 following high-level diplomatic engagement, including discussions linked to the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and references to a possible Airbus A350 acquisition.
However, Boeing ultimately secured the deal through sustained engagement and a comprehensive offer that included a mix of long-haul Dreamliners, freighter options and narrow-body aircraft, reinforcing its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh’s national carrier.
Industry observers say the agreement reflects Biman’s broader strategy to scale up operations, improve service efficiency and position itself competitively in the growing regional aviation market.
