Biman Bangladesh Airlines is waiting for the government to approve the purchase of 10 Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s to replace its ageing McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s.
The Bangladeshi flag carrier confirms that its board granted approval last week for it to purchase six Airbus A330s and four Boeing 777-200s, but because the carrier is 100% government-owned, the proposed acquisition has been forwarded to the council of ministers for final approval. "Biman is going to purchase new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus," says the airline. "It is now in the process but not yet finalised." The airline says it hopes that the council of ministers will "make a final decision very soon".
The airline aims to receive four of the six A330s in 2006 and its first 777-200 in April 2007 to replace its six 17- to 27-year-old DC-10s.
LEITHEN FRANCIS/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
