Biman Bangladesh to buy 10 Airbus jets, breaking Boeing reliance

DHAKA/PARIS, June 19 (Reuters) – State-owned carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to purchase 10 planes from Airbus AIR.PA, in a shift from its Boeing-dominated BA.N fleet, the South Asian country’s junior minister for civil aviation told Reuters on Monday.

“As per our requirement, the decision has been taken to purchase 10 aircraft in phases. The technical committee is assessing now,” Mahbub Ali said.

Ali’s comments came after sources said the airline was close to a deal to buy 10 Airbus A350 widebody planes, marking its first order with the French planemaker.

It was not clear whether the deal would be finalised in time for the Paris Airshow, which opens on Monday.