Bangladesh's national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, is planning the largest fleet expansion in its history, currently owning 19 aircraft and expected to acquire 21 more, nearly doubling its fleet. This move comes despite ongoing financial issues, including substantial arrears and controversial aircraft deals.
The airline has entered into contracts for 14 Boeing jets, scheduled for delivery between 2031-2035, and a second deal for 11 additional Boeings, although details remain confidential. The government also considers acquiring Airbus planes, with a package of four A350-900s and six A321neos anticipated soon. These broad procurement plans have raised concerns about transparency and strategic planning.
Compared to Ethiopian Airlines, which operates a significantly larger fleet and has detailed growth plans, Biman's lack of published planning documents and opaque deal structures highlight management failures, despite Bangladesh's larger economy and reserves. Ethiopian Airlines, with a revenue of over $9 billion and a fleet exceeding 67 jets, contrasts sharply with Biman's $943 million revenue and 33.8 lakh passengers last year.
Financially, Biman carries large arrears to state organizations and relies on government guarantees to finance its aircraft. Criticism also centers on the airline's business model, which is seen as dependent on market capture rather than competitiveness. Discussions about restructuring and performance targets continue, but no decisive actions have been taken.
Experts argue that Bangladesh should prioritize financial transparency, settle outstanding debts, publish audited accounts, and give Biman operational independence before expanding its fleet further to improve service quality and competitiveness in the regional aviation market.
