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Published : 04 May 2026, 12:14 PM
The government’s deal with Boeing is aimed at adding “international-standard” aircraft to the Biman Bangladesh Airlines fleet, State Minister for Civil Aviation M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said.
He made the remarks on Monday after a session on civil aviation and tourism at the deputy commissioners’ conference.
“Our fleet may have international aircraft, but it is not yet of international standard,” Millat said.
“We have already signed for the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft to bring it up to that standard, and we will also lease some more aircraft.”
The Boeing purchase plan emerged as Bangladesh dealt with the fallout from a 35 percent tariff imposed under US President Donald Trump.
Against that backdrop, the erstwhile interim government announced in July last year that it would buy 25 aircraft from the US manufacturer.
The agreement to buy 14 aircraft from the US manufacturer was signed at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday night as part of an earlier plan to purchase 25 planes from Boeing.
The 14 aircraft will cost $3.7 billion, or Tk 454.08 billion, based on an exchange rate of Tk 122.73 to the dollar.
The package includes 10 wide-body 787 Dreamliners and four narrow-body 737 MAX aircraft for Biman.
According to Biman’s website, the airline currently has 19 aircraft in its fleet, including 14 Boeings and five short-haul Dash 8-300 aircraft.
Millat said the government also plans to renovate eight to nine unused airports and reopen them for domestic routes.
Speaking about discussions at the DC Conference, he said deputy commissioners had been briefed on district airports, aviation development and tourism.
“Many districts have airports. The deputy commissioners were told how these should be addressed, and we also gave them instructions on improving them,” he said.
Tourism in Cox’s Bazar, Kuakata and other major destinations was also discussed, he added.
The state minister said he hoped the third terminal of Shahjalal International Airport would open this year.
“We hope we will be able to start the third terminal on Dec 16,” he said.
