Biman Bangladesh Airlines has formed a techno-financial committee to scrutinize proposals in detail with a view to finalizing the purchase of aircraft from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
The state-owned carrier has primarily decided to buy ten Airbus A350 widebody planes, including two cargo freighters, from Airbus.
The 16-member committee, formed on March 5, includes the Biman Director of Flight Operations as its chairman, while the national carrier’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Director of Engineering and Materials Management are co-chairmen.
One official from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry and another professor or associate professor from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) will serve as external members of the committee.
The committee will submit a report with recommendations to the Biman chief within seven days of receiving a proposal from Airbus. According to the terms and conditions, the committee will review and evaluate the Airbus proposal based on the national carrier's ground rules, technical and operational aspects, maintenance, business, and financial revenue.
Additionally, the committee will arrange an in-person meeting with Airbus, Rolls Royce, and other original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to analyze their offers, certifications, and documentation. They will also assess the advantages and disadvantages of a mixed aircraft fleet.
Biman plans to increase its fleet size to 45 aircraft. The airline has formulated a plan to expand its fleet size to 45 aircraft from the existing 21 by 2031 in order to generate more revenue, according to the 247th meeting of Biman's board of directors.
The national carrier has also proposed that Boeing, as well as other manufacturers, be considered during the next procurement process. Six old aircraft from the existing fleet will be replaced during the 2021-2031 period, as per the plan.
According to the previous plan, the airline would have purchased Boeing 777, 787-8, 787-9, 737-800, and Dash 8-400 aircraft in the next 10 years. However, this plan did not proceed due to government decisions.
Now Biman is looking to procure 10 new aircraft, including two cargo freighters, from the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Bangladesh will get long-term loan facilities on soft terms under the UK Export Finance scheme to purchase the freighters.
Aviation experts have questioned whether the purchase of the aircraft is a prudent decision if the current Biman fleet is not being used to its full potential. However, the airline will increase the number of flights on domestic and international routes, and the plan to buy the two cargo Airbuses may materialize by 2027, according to Civil Aviation Ministry sources.