Biman Bangladesh Airlines is adding to its fleet of Boeing 787-8s with an order for a pair of larger and longer-range -9 Dreamliners.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is adding to its fleet of Boeing 787-8s with an order for a pair of larger and longer-range -9 Dreamliners.
Worth $585 million at list prices, the order was previously attributed to an unnamed customer in Boeing’s backlog.
Boeing shows off Biman Bangladesh 787-8 at the 2018 Farnborough show
FlightGlobal
Muhammad Enamul Bari, chairman of Biman, says the -9 variant will be ideal for point-to-point operations where a 300-seat capacity is perfect.
Biman has configured its four 787-8s in a two-class, 271-seat layout, and Boeing lists the -9 as accommodating 296 passengers across two classes.
“With a 300-seat range it’s very easy for us to get 85-90% load factor.”
GE Aviation GEnx engines power Biman’s current 787-8s, and the US manufacturer has been selected for the next two aircraft. No delivery date is listed, however.
Bari praises the 787 family, noting the commonality across the range, adding: “Who knows, in the near future we might get the -10 as well.”
Biman will initially use the 787-9s to add more frequencies on existing routes, such as Dhaka to Riyadh, which will be increased from six to seven flights per week, and Abu Dhabi, which will be raised from five to seven flights weekly.
The carrier is also seeking approval to begin fifth-freedom flights from Dhaka to Toronto via Manchester, as well as Singapore to Bali.
“Then New York as soon as we get clearance – that’s our top priority,” says Bari. The carrier will serve New York direct.
