US-Bangla Airlines, one of Bangladesh’s leading private carriers, has officially announced plans to lease 21 Boeing aircraft as part of a major fleet expansion programme worth approximately US$1.5 billion. The aircraft will be inducted into the airline’s fleet in phases by 2027.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the “Beyond with Boeing” event held at a hotel in Banani, Dhaka. The programme was attended by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat as the chief guest.
The event also featured remarks from Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, Managing Director of US-Bangla Group and US-Bangla Airlines; Brent T. Christensen, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh; Paul Reggi, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales; Humayun Kabir, Adviser on Civil Aviation and Tourism to the Prime Minister; and Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
According to the airline, the new fleet will consist of 15 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, all of which are expected to be delivered by 2027.
Addressing the event, State Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat said the opening of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will increase the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to around 24 million. He added that the addition of 21 new Boeing aircraft by US-Bangla Airlines would play a significant role in meeting Bangladesh’s rapidly growing demand for air travel.
US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said Bangladesh is among the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets. However, Bangladeshi airlines currently serve less than 30 percent of the country’s international passenger market, while foreign airlines generate approximately US$4.5 billion annually from passengers travelling to and from Bangladesh.
He also revealed that the airline is preparing to introduce wide-body aircraft to launch direct services to Europe, Oceania, and North America, marking the next phase of its international expansion.
To strengthen the country’s aviation workforce, US-Bangla Airlines has also launched a fully funded training programme to develop 200 young Bangladeshi pilots and 100 certified aircraft engineers.
Paul Reggi, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales, said the addition of the new-generation, fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft represents an important milestone for US-Bangla Airlines. He noted that the aircraft will support the airline’s network expansion across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, while delivering improved fuel efficiency, operational reliability, and an enhanced passenger experience.
U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen said the agreement with Boeing is more than a commercial transaction—it also strengthens the economic partnership between the United States and Bangladesh. He added that the investment will contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth by enhancing tourism, improving international connectivity, facilitating trade, and creating high-quality employment opportunities.
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