Bangladesh’s largest private airline, US-Bangla Airlines, has announced plans to expand its fleet with 21 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and launch long-haul services to Europe, North America and Oceania as it seeks to strengthen its position in the country’s growing aviation market.
The airline unveiled the expansion strategy on Wednesday at an aviation industry event in Dhaka attended by government officials, diplomats and representatives from Boeing and the wider aviation sector.
US-Bangla currently operates a fleet of 25 aircraft, comprising 10 Boeing 737-800s and 15 ATR 72-600 turboprops. The new Boeing 737-8 aircraft will be delivered in phases over the next year, with the carrier aiming to support an expanded international network from 2027.
Managing Director Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mamun said the investment would allow the airline to increase frequencies on existing routes and open new destinations across Asia before introducing wide-body aircraft for non-stop long-haul services.
The first phase of the expansion will focus on strengthening links to destinations including Bangkok, Kathmandu, Hyderabad, Chennai, Malé, Guangzhou, Beijing, South Korea, Japan and Bhutan.
Al-Mamun said the airline was also preparing to acquire wide-body aircraft to operate direct flights from Bangladesh to major cities in Europe, North America and Oceania, a move that would significantly expand the country’s long-haul connectivity.
“Every aircraft we add is an investment in our nation’s future, creating jobs, strengthening connectivity and supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth,” he said.
The carrier also announced plans to fully fund the training of 200 Bangladeshi pilots and 100 aircraft engineers as part of efforts to reduce reliance on foreign aviation professionals. It intends to establish an international-standard aviation training centre to develop domestic aviation expertise.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen described the agreement as an important milestone in economic ties between the United States and Bangladesh, saying Boeing would play a key role in supporting the country’s aviation ambitions.
Government officials said the expansion aligns with Bangladesh’s wider plans to develop its aviation sector. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, said the government was implementing an aviation master plan while the opening of Terminal 3 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would increase annual passenger capacity to around 24 million.
Millat added that state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines was also planning to add 14 Boeing aircraft to its fleet, reflecting confidence in the country’s expanding aviation market.
According to US-Bangla, nearly 70% of Bangladeshi international passengers continue to fly with foreign airlines. The carrier hopes its fleet expansion and planned long-haul network will enable Bangladeshi airlines to capture a greater share of outbound travel.