Biman Bangladesh Airlines, national flag carrier, is going to expand its fleet, adding one more aircraft from November 21.
US-based manufacturer Boeing Company will formally handed over the 5th aircraft Boeing 737-800s, out of 10, at Seattle in USA on November 20.
The new aircraft will arrive in Dhaka on November 21 via London.
After joining of the modern Boeing 737, the number of aircraft of the fleet will be at 13 while the national carrier will get another option to increase more destinations.
Another Boeing 737-800 would be added in its fleet by December this year, according to an agreement signed with the Boeing Company.
Boeing is scheduled to supply two more Boeing 787 (Dreamliner) aircrafts by 2019.
In 2008, Biman signed an agreement with Boeing Company to purchase 10 aircrafts with a cost of US$2.5bn to strengthen its operational capabilities.
Boeing has already delivered four Boeing 777-300 ER aircrafts to Biman as per the agreement.
Industry insiders said this latest aircraft undoubtedly would be more cost effective and suitable for Biman.
“Since the beginning its journey, national flag carrier has been incurring loss due to the age-old aircrafts. As per of its plan to make the airline profitable, the management of the airliner is adding modern aircraft, a high official of Biman told the Dhaka Tribune.
According to Biman, the company has already phased out four age-old DC-10 aircrafts and now on the process to phase out two more age-old aircrafts of Airbus 310 by next year due to their high fuel consumption.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd sought a total of $109m as loans from financial institution to get delivery financing for the two Boeing 737-800 aircrafts.
The loan will be supported by a guarantee from the government of Bangladesh for 12 years from the respective aircrafts delivery dates.
Biman is one of Asia’s smallest flag carriers, operating only 12 aircrafts on a network of 22 destinations.
Currently, Bangladesh national airlines has 10 aircrafts in its fleet and they are-four Boeing 777-300 ER, two Airbus 310, two Boeing 777-200 ER, two Dash 8 Q 400 and two 737. Of those, six were taken on lease.