Bangladeshi airline evaluates offers from Airbus and Boeing as it moves to replace ageing fleet of DC-10s and F28s
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is considering proposals from Airbus and Boeing for new aircraft needed as longer-term replacements for its fleet of ageing McDonnell Douglas DC-10s and Fokker F28s, while in the shorter term the airline will be issuing a tender for the purchase of two secondhand narrowbodies.
The state-owned Bangladeshi carrier recently received proposals for four narrowbody and four widebody aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, which were responding to a request for information that the airline issued for new aircraft to replace its DC-10s and F28s, says a senior source at Biman.
A high-level committee has since been established to evaluate Airbus's offering of A330/A340s and A320s and Boeing's proposal for 777s and 737s, says the source.
But there is no timeframe for a decision and it is likely to take a few years before the new aircraft are delivered, the source adds.
Meanwhile, Biman is proceeding with a tender it issued earlier this year for leases on two additional DC-10s, says the source, adding that this is necessary as "we are not sure when we will get the new widebodies".
Bangladesh's government has also just granted the airline approval to purchase two narrowbodies as a matter of urgency, says the source. The carrier needs these two narrowbodies because in the past year Biman has sold its two British Aerospace ATPs and returned two Boeing 737-400s to the lessor.
The additional two narrowbodies will be used to maintain Biman Bangladesh's domestic and regional services.
Another senior source at Biman says the airline will be issuing a tender in about two weeks for the purchase of the two aircraft and that Biman will be asking for used aircraft with 130-150 seats.
The carrier is seeking secondhand, rather than brand-new aircraft, in this instance because it is easier to secure used aircraft at short notice, according to the airline source.
LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
