Dhaka: US-Bangla Airlines is set to expand its fleet significantly by acquiring 21 Boeing aircraft through a lease program valued at approximately $1.5 billion. This move represents one of the largest fleet expansions in the history of Bangladesh’s private aviation sector.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the expansion will include the addition of 15 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and six Boeing 737-800s. These new aircraft are scheduled to be inducted into the airline’s fleet in phases by 2027. The announcement was made during an event titled ‘Beyond with Boeing,’ held at a city hotel on Wednesday.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Rashiduzzaman Millat, attended the event as the chief guest. In his address, he highlighted US-Bangla Airlines’ remarkable growth from a domestic carrier to a leading international airline in Bangladesh, emphasizing its commitment to safety and quality services. Millat also noted the ongoing development at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with the opening of a third terminal set to increase the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 2.4 crore, thereby aligning with the airline’s fleet expansion to meet rising demand.
The expansion was described as a historic milestone for Bangladesh’s aviation industry by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen. He remarked that the leasing deal not only signifies fleet growth but also represents an investment in Bangladesh’s future, fostering economic growth, enhancing regional and international connectivity, and creating quality job opportunities.
Boeing Vice President Paul Righi expressed that this fleet expansion is a significant milestone for US-Bangla Airlines, positioning it for the next phase of growth with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Managing Director of US-Bangla Group and US-Bangla Airlines, discussed the strategic importance of the new aircraft in enhancing the capacity of Bangladeshi airlines on international routes and retaining foreign currency within the country.
Mamun outlined the airline’s ambition to evolve beyond a successful carrier into a fully integrated global aviation group. He detailed plans for supporting international route growth and investments in cargo operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, flight catering, and aviation training to establish a comprehensive aviation ecosystem.
The airline also revealed plans to increase flight frequencies on existing routes across South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East while launching services to new international destinations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Colombo, Kathmandu, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kunming, Shenzhen, Beijing, South Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Madinah, Dammam, and Salalah.
Additionally, US-Bangla aims to develop Chattogram and Sylhet as regional international aviation hubs by deploying Boeing aircraft at these airports and operating direct international flights to the Middle East and South Asia. Mamun emphasized the need for new airports, competitive policies, skilled human resources, modern MRO facilities, and internationally accredited aviation training centers for the sustainable growth of Bangladesh’s aviation industry.
The airline has already launched self-financed programs to train pilots and aircraft engineers and is establishing an international-standard aviation training center in Purbachal, along with developing a modern flight catering facility in Bangladesh.
According to the airline, this fleet expansion will contribute to the growth of Bangladesh’s private aviation sector, tourism, international trade, employment, and foreign exchange earnings, with future plans to add next-generation wide-body aircraft for long-haul flights to Europe, North America, and Australia.