Dhaka: Airbus has called for Biman's fleet decision to be based strictly on commercial and technical merit, emphasizing the need for a factual and fair evaluation as Bangladesh embarks on a significant growth phase in aviation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during his visit to Dhaka, Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President International of Airbus, expressed his hope that the techno-financial evaluation by Biman Bangladesh Airline will remain professional and objective. He stated, "We hope the evaluation will be based on the merits of the offers. We want the decision to be factual, based on commercial, technical, and capacity-building value."
Accompanied by Edward Delahaye, Head of Customer Accounts for Airbus India and South Asia, van Wersch described Bangladesh's aviation growth as one of the strongest globally, highlighting the country's "strong development path" and the increasing importance of air connectivity in shaping economic progress. He noted the substantial growth of the aviation sector in Bangladesh, with passenger numbers expected to more than double by 2030.
With increasing air travel to the Middle East, North America, and Southeast Asia, van Wersch argued that Biman is well-positioned to capitalize on this demand. He emphasized Airbus's readiness to support Biman's immediate needs by assisting in sourcing leased aircraft before their own delivery slots become available.
Airbus has pitched the A321neo and A350 as long-term solutions for Biman's fleet. Van Wersch highlighted the A321neo's suitability for regional and mid-haul needs, while positioning the A350-900 and A350-1000 as ideal for long-haul ambitions, capable of non-stop flights from Dhaka to key global cities.
Edward Delahaye underscored the market strength in Bangladesh, suggesting that the presence of major international airlines indicates significant demand. He also addressed concerns about training or maintenance complexity, explaining that Airbus's cockpit commonality reduces transition costs.
Van Wersch concluded by stating that Airbus is committed to broader engagement with Bangladesh's aviation ecosystem, including capacity-building, MRO partnerships, regulatory cooperation, and skills development. Airbus also aims to foster collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and international aviation safety agencies.