The government is set to purchase 10 aircraft from European planemaker Airbus, with a signing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, multiple officials familiar with the matter confirmed to Daily Waadaa.
The planned purchase comprises four Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft and six A321neo narrow-body jets, the officials said.
The final value of the agreement, is yet to be disclosed, and it would depend on configuration, engines, cabin specifications, maintenance packages and other commercial terms negotiated between the parties.
The signing on Wednesday would mark a major expansion of Bangladesh's commercial aviation fleet and introduce Airbus aircraft into a fleet currently dominated by Boeing jets.
The A350-900 is Airbus's long-range, twin-engine wide-body aircraft designed primarily for intercontinental routes. The aircraft would give the national carrier additional capacity for long-haul destinations.
The A321neo, meanwhile, is a single-aisle aircraft designed for short- and medium-haul operations, although its range also allows airlines to deploy it on longer regional routes.
The combination would therefore give Bangladesh additional aircraft for both its long-haul network and high-demand regional services.
The purchase comes as the government moves ahead with a significant expansion and modernisation of the country's aviation fleet.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Dr ASM Millat said on September 30 that Bangladesh was planning to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft and expected an agreement to be signed in October.
He also said payments for the aircraft would be made upon delivery rather than immediately after the agreement was signed.
The Airbus acquisition would come alongside Bangladesh's substantial aircraft purchase commitments to US manufacturer Boeing.
Bangladesh earlier agreed to acquire 14 Boeing aircraft in a package estimated at around $3.7 billion. That order included eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners and four 737-8 aircraft.
A further 11 Boeing aircraft were subsequently added to the procurement plan, taking the planned Boeing acquisition to 25 aircraft — 15 wide-body and 10 narrow-body jets.
The addition of 10 Airbus aircraft would significantly broaden that fleet expansion and give Bangladesh a mixed Boeing-Airbus fleet.
The government has been pursuing the aircraft purchases as it seeks to expand international connectivity and prepare for growing passenger traffic, particularly with Dhaka's third terminal expected to substantially increase airport capacity.
Details on the delivery schedule for the Airbus aircraft and the final commercial terms are expected to become clearer following Wednesday's signing.
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