Bangladesh to buy both Boeing and Airbus aircraft: Shama Obaed

Bangladesh will procure both Boeing and Airbus aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines as part of its plan to develop a sustainable mixed fleet while safeguarding national interests, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said.

“Our country needs both Boeing and Airbus. We will purchase both,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (17 July).

Responding to a question on whether Bangladesh’s planned purchase of Boeing aircraft from the United States contradicted its expressed interest in acquiring Airbus aircraft from France, or whether the Boeing deal was being made under external pressure, Shama dismissed the suggestion.

She said the government remains committed to strengthening the country’s civil aviation sector while pursuing prudent economic management.

“The prime minister inherited a fragile economy from the previous governments. To put the economy on a stronger footing, we need to exercise austerity on the one hand while also purchasing what the country requires. We need both Boeing and Airbus. We will buy both,” she said.

Asked whether Bangladesh gives preferential treatment to any particular country in investment and trade, the state minister replied, “Absolutely not.”

“The interests of Bangladesh are always given top priority when it comes to investment,” she added.

Her remarks came a day after Bangladesh formally expressed interest in procuring Airbus aircraft as part of Biman’s long-term fleet expansion plan to build a sustainable mixed fleet while protecting the country’s strategic interests.

The issue came up during a courtesy meeting yesterday between Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and ambassadors and senior diplomats representing France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and the European Union at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

During the meeting, the minister and the state minister conveyed the government’s intention to include Airbus aircraft in Biman’s long-term fleet expansion programme.

The European diplomats welcomed Bangladesh’s interest and reaffirmed their readiness to extend the necessary cooperation on the proposed Airbus acquisition and broader collaboration in the aviation sector.

The two sides also reiterated their commitment to strengthening longstanding ties and expanding cooperation between Bangladesh, the European Union, and its member states, including in the development and modernisation of Biman’s fleet.