The first set of negotiations at the Dubai Airshow 2019 was concluded on November 17, 2019, as Biman Bangladesh Airlines finalized their agreement with Boeing for two 787-9 Dreamliners. The order was initially attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website. The Bangladeshi flag carrier plans to increase its capacity to London-Heathrow (LHR) and add a new route to Manchester, United Kingdom (MAN). Both destinations will be served seven times a week starting January 5, 2020, with both new Dreamliners entering service in December 2019.
Muhammad Enamul Bari, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, noted that the two new aircraft would modernize the airline’s fleet, something that is one of the key priorities for the carrier. The “technologically-advanced airplanes” would help expand Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ international reach, according to Bari.
“While we have a good domestic network, we plan to extend our international network to include more destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The 787 with its technological superiority, excellent operational performance and passenger experience will enable us to achieve that goal.”
As of November 18, 2019, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operates 17 aircraft in its fleet, including four Boeing 787-8 and four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, primarily serving destinations in the Middle East. The carrier’s only destination in Europe is London Heathrow International Airport (LHR), with flights from Sylhet Osmani International Airport (ZYL) and Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport, Bangladesh (DAC) serving the British capital.
In total, the airline serves seven domestic and 16 international destinations, according to its website.