South Asian Flag Carrier Places Largest-Ever Aircraft Order in 2026 for 14 Widebody and Narrowbody Jets

Bangladesh – Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the state-owned national flag carrier of Bangladesh, has placed its largest-ever aircraft order, selecting 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft to expand and modernize its fleet.

• The order comprises eight 787-10s — Biman's first order of the largest 787 variant — for high-demand routes to the Middle East; two 787-9s for long-haul service to Europe and North America; and four 737-8s, the airline's first 737 MAX order, for regional connectivity across the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.
• The 787-10 and 737-8 deliver 20–25% fuel-use improvement compared to the aircraft they replace, with the 787-10 offering the lowest seat-mile cost of any widebody aircraft and seamless crew and maintenance commonality with Biman's existing 787 fleet.
• Biman currently operates a fleet of 14 Boeing aircraft — 787-9s, 787-8s, 777s, and Next-Generation 737s — serving 22 international destinations from Dhaka, including major hubs in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Europe. The airline's longest route is Dhaka to Toronto via Istanbul on a 787-9.
• The order was preceded by a government-backed sovereign guarantee to support financing, approved in January 2026. In mid-2025, the Government of Bangladesh indicated its readiness to potentially expand the Boeing commitment from 14 to 25 aircraft as part of US trade negotiations, though the confirmed order stands at 14 aircraft.
• Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook projects South Asia's widebody fleet will more than triple over 20 years as regional carriers connect travelers to international destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Statements

• "The new fuel-efficient, technologically advanced aircraft will modernize Biman's fleet, sharpen operational performance, and extend its international route network — strengthening Bangladesh's position in the global aviation market," said Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
• "We are proud to build on our partnership with Biman with this order and support their strategy to modernize their fleet, expand their network and enhance the passenger experience. The 787-10 delivers unmatched efficiency and seamless commonality with Biman's existing 787s, while the 737-8 is the ideal bridge from their 737 fleet with its versatility, fuel savings and crew commonality," said Paul Righi, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Eurasia, India and South Asia.

Source: Boeing