The newly appointed MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG, Dhaka) has plans to grow the fleet from the present 21 aircraft to 47 over the next 11 years, requiring a major investment in new aircraft.

Mohammad Jahidul Islam Bhuiyan, appointed to the top job in May, says his planned expansion will require an additional 32 aircraft.

"Biman needs a total of 47 aircraft for route expansion by 2035," he told The Dhaka Tribune on June 30. "Of the 21 aircraft currently in the fleet, six will be phased out by then."

While Biman's board recently approved the acquisition of four A350-900s after securing funding from the UK's Export Finance scheme, Bhuiyan said Boeing aircraft were also under consideration. "Biman's discussion with Airbus has progressed significantly," he said. "Boeing has also offered its aircraft to Biman. We will review Boeing's proposal. We need them both."

Biman's existing fleet consists of six B737-800s, four B777-300ERs, four B787-8s, two B787-9s, and five DHC-8-Q400s. The airline flies to 33 airports in 17 countries. Bhuiyan said he was keen to open several new routes, including to Malé, Kunming Changshui, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Seoul Incheon, and Sydney Kingsford Smith.