Biman Seeks 3 Dreamliners on Six-Year Dry Lease

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has invited international proposals to dry lease three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for six years as part of its plan to expand and modernise its fleet, targeting induction of the wide-body jets by January 1, 2027.

A dry lease is an arrangement in which the aircraft owner provides only the aircraft, while the lessee assumes full responsibility for crew, maintenance, insurance and operations under its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

According to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on July 15, the national flag carrier is seeking bids from airlines, aircraft operators, manufacturers, owners and leasing companies for the 72-month lease.

The deadline for submitting proposals is 10:00 am Bangladesh Standard Time (BST) on August 9.

The airline said the aircraft should preferably be delivered by January 1, 2027, although proposals offering delivery by February 28, 2027 will also be considered during the technical evaluation.

Under the RFP, the aircraft must be no more than 15 years old as of June 30, 2027, powered by GEnx-1B74/75 engines, and have a maximum take-off weight of 254 tonnes. Preference will be given to sister-ship aircraft supplied by the same lessor.

Each aircraft must feature a two-class cabin layout with more than 300 passenger seats, all of them newly installed. The aircraft must also be delivered in full operational condition with valid Certificates of Airworthiness and Registration.

Biman has stipulated that major scheduled maintenance, including heavy maintenance checks and landing gear overhauls, should not fall due within the first 24 months of the lease period. Each aircraft must be delivered immediately after completing a fresh C-check.

The airline has also specified a range of technical requirements, including advanced avionics, Engine Health Monitoring, Aircraft Health Monitoring, Flight Data Monitoring, upgraded flight recorders, TCAS Version 7.1, ACARS, Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, satellite communications, GPS/GNSS navigation, and compliance with the regulations of the FAA, EASA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

The aircraft must also be painted in Biman's livery at the lessor's expense before delivery and equipped with galley facilities capable of serving two major and two minor meals for passengers and crew.

Financial proposals must include separate quotations for monthly lease rentals, maintenance reserves for major components and security deposits. Biman expects each aircraft to operate approximately 4,000 flight hours annually.

The selection process will consist of both technical and financial evaluations, with 25 percent weight assigned to the technical score and 75 percent to the financial score. Negotiations with qualified bidders will be held in Dhaka before the lease agreement is signed.

Biman currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, comprising four Boeing 777-300ERs, four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, four Boeing 737s and five Dash 8-400 aircraft.