Online Report : Bangladesh will buy 10 more aircraft from Airbus, the European multinational commercial aircraft manufacturing company, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan has said.

"Airbus has already made some financial proposals. We`ll make a call after thoroughly scrutinising them. We`ve turned down their suggestion to ink a memorandum of understanding," he said after meeting visiting UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday (May 7).

Faruk Khan said they discussed ways to develop the civil aviation sector. "They`ve visited our new airport … they manufacture Airbus in Europe and we already have Boeing aircraft. We`re contemplating procuring Airbus aircrafts," he said.

The minister said the government will thoroughly scrutinise the Airbus proposal before inking a MoU.

"We`ve also had talks over security and ground handling. They have invested in these sectors. They know that we have two more international airports in Sylhet and Cox`s Bazar, and that we`re trying to build an airline hub in Syedpur," he said.

When asked if Dhaka had received any proposals to purchase aircraft, Faruk Khan said Bangladesh had received some proposals. "Boeing has also forwarded a good proposal. We`re scrutinising them and considering those that will be beneficial for Bangladesh."

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has added a number of Boeing aircraft to its fleet. With an increase in the number of passengers, the opportunity to operate flights on new routes is opening up. The possibilities are manifold, but the crisis lies in the inadequate number of aircraft.

Sixteen of Biman`s 21 aircraft are Boeing. But this time, the national flag carrier is eyeing aircraft from Airbus to extend its fleet.

Biman`s Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim said working with Airbus would increase Biman`s business and reputation.

As per the initial review, the government wants to buy Airbus` modern A350 model aircraft used by many leading operators, including Singapore Airlines. Each aircraft in this wide-body model has a passenger capacity of 300-400.

Airbus developed this A350 variant to compete with Boeing`s 777 and 787 aircraft. Its operating costs are 25 per cent lower than those of previously procured aircraft.

"Airbus doesn`t mean France only. The United Kingdom, Germany and France are combinedly showing interest. What I know so far that Bangladesh has received some good proposals. Boeing has also given a good proposal to us. Now, we are examining those proposals, and select those which will be better for us," he said.