Bangladesh plans to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft and lease additional planes as part of an effort to strengthen the country’s aviation capacity, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat has said.
Speaking at a coordination meeting of the Mymensingh district administration on Monday, the minister said the decision followed a request from US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman that Boeing aircraft be used by Bangladesh.
“We are purchasing them and using them. We are buying 14 Boeing aircraft and will lease some additional aircraft,” Millat said.
The minister also said Bangladesh was not relying solely on Boeing for the expansion of its aviation fleet. Airbus aircraft manufactured in France, Britain and Germany would also be purchased, he said, describing the broader procurement plan as part of efforts to increase the country’s capacity for development and economic growth.
The remarks come as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen its air transport infrastructure and expand the capacity of its national aviation sector. Acquiring aircraft through both direct purchases and leasing arrangements can allow an airline to increase fleet capacity while using different approaches to managing investment and operational requirements.
However, the minister did not provide details at the meeting about the models of Boeing or Airbus aircraft involved, their purchase prices, delivery schedules, financing arrangements or the number of aircraft expected to be leased. No further technical details about the proposed fleet expansion were given in the statement.
The meeting was held at the conference room of the district administration and focused on several administrative issues, including law and order, good governance, transparency, accountability and implementation of electoral pledges. Senior officials attended the meeting, where the minister also spoke at length about the responsibilities of government employees.
Millat urged officials to increase their commitment to public service and adopt a more active approach to their duties. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s working hours, he said the Prime Minister works between 14 and 18 hours a day and questioned why government officials could not similarly increase their efforts.
The minister said officials could no longer continue with what he described as the relaxed attitude that prevailed during the previous government. He called on them to put aside such attitudes and begin their work with renewed commitment.
He also warned that officials who neglected their responsibilities would face strict action. Those unwilling to work, he said, should leave their jobs rather than continue without fulfilling their duties.
Millat also referred to the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from office and urged officials to learn from the political developments of the past. He said the events that had occurred should not be repeated and warned that failing to draw lessons from them could have serious consequences.
The minister’s comments therefore covered both the planned expansion of Bangladesh’s aviation fleet and wider expectations regarding government administration. While the aircraft procurement plan could increase the country’s aviation capacity, details such as the aircraft specifications, procurement process, financing and implementation timetable will be necessary to assess the full scope of the proposed expansion.
