Bangladesh wants Biman’s 10 Airbus deliveries to begin before 2030: Aviation minister

Bangladesh wants deliveries of the 10 Airbus aircraft it plans to purchase for Biman Bangladesh Airlines to begin before 2030, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said today.

The government is working to sign a purchase agreement, but the deliveries need to begin earlier, the minister said at a meeting with a Lufthansa delegation led by German Ambassador to Bangladesh Rüdiger Lotz.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

“We are working towards signing an agreement to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. However, it is important to bring forward the Airbus delivery timeline,” Millat said, according to a ministry press release.

Read more

Biman’s fleet: Deals on 21 Boeing, Airbus planes likely within weeks

Millat also said there was scope for Lufthansa to invest in establishing a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Bangladesh as part of the country’s efforts to develop an aviation hub.

He said Lufthansa could also work with Biman to develop skilled human resources in Bangladesh.

The minister also sought Germany’s cooperation in removing the European Union’s High Risk Cargo and Mail status on cargo originating from Bangladesh, which has remained in place since 2017.

He said the government had taken measures to address security concerns and referred to a recent security audit in which Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Sylhet's Osmani International Airport scored more than 90 percent.

The two sides also discussed air connectivity between Bangladesh and Germany, Biman’s development, and cooperation in the tourism sector.

Both sides expressed interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in aviation and tourism, according to the ministry.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is scheduled to sign an agreement with Airbus tomorrow to acquire 10 aircraft, reports BSS.

Read more

Biman buying 10 Airbus planes: Aviation minister

The agreement covers four A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets, officials familiar with the development said.

President and Managing Director of Airbus (India and South Asia) Jürgen Westermeier and Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides, the officials added.