Biman Bangladesh Airlines is negotiating with Boeing to purchase two new 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ passenger aircraft on top of the fourteen Boeing 787-8, 777-300ER and 737-800 it currently operates. The airline is also scheduled to receive three new Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 it ordered from the Canadian aircraft manufacturer in September 2018 under a $106 million deal.
Boeing will hold discussions with Biman Bangladesh Airlines in October 2019 for the inclusion of the new passenger aircraft by December 2019.
The US firm made an offer to Biman for two Boeing 787-9 at a lower price after Hainan Airlines of China cancelled the purchase of the aircraft due to the US-China trade issues. As the aircraft have already been built it would not take long for Biman to induct them in to the fleet. Moreover Biman pilots are also rated to fly the 787-9 with minimal training as they are already flying the 787-8.
Boeing 787-8
The shortest Dreamliner variant, the 787-8 was the first variant to fly in December 2009, then the longer 787-9 in September 2013, followed by the longest variant, the 787-10, in March 2017. They are called B788, B789, and B78X in the List of ICAO aircraft type designators. The short-range 787-3 was cancelled in 2010.
With a typical capacity of 242 passengers and a range of 7,355 nautical miles (13,621 km), the -8 is the base model of the 787 family and was the first to enter service in 2011. The 787-8 is targeted to replace the Boeing 767-200ER and -300ER, as well as expand into new non-stop markets where larger planes would not be economically viable. In 2018, Boeing said it would change the -8 manufacturing to raise its commonality with the -9 above the current 30% to be more like the 95% commonality between the -9 and -10, as it will benefit from learning from those. When it was launched, a new B787-8 was to cost only slightly more than the B767-300ER, valued new for $85 million at its 1990s peak, but it ended being 20% more costly.
Boeing 787-9
Keeping the same wingspan as the 787-8, the 787-9 is a lengthened and strengthened variant with a 6.1 m longer fuselage and a 24,700 kg higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW), seating 280 passengers in a typical three-class arrangement over a 7,635 nautical miles (14,140 km) range. It features active boundary-layer control on the tail surfaces, reducing drag.
In 2005, the entry into service (EIS) was planned for 2010. The firm configuration was finalised on July 1, 2010. By October 2011, deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2014.
The prototype 787-9 made its maiden flight from Paine Field on September 17, 2013. By November 8, 2013, it had flown 141 hours. A 787-9 was on static display at the 2014 Farnborough Air Show prior to first delivery. On July 8, 2014, Launch customer Air New Zealand took its first 787-9, in a distinctive black livery in a ceremony at Paine Field. Its first commercial flight was from Auckland to Sydney on August 9, 2014.
The 6.1m stretch was achieved by adding a 3m (five-frame) extension forward and aft. The 787-8 and 787-9 have 50% commonality: the wing, fuselage and systems of the 787-8 had required radical revision to achieve the payload-range goals of the 787-9. Following a major revamp of the original 787-8 wing, the latest configuration for the 787-9 and -10 is the fourth design evolution.
Purchase of cargo aircraft
The government-owned airline is also set to purchase two new Boeing 777F to boost income from the lucrative air freight segment.
The 777 Freighter (777F) is an all-cargo version of the twinjet, and shares features with the -200LR; these include its airframe, engines, and fuel capacity. With a maximum payload of 102,000 kg (similar to the 110,000 kg) of the Boeing 747-200F), it has a range of 4,970 nmi (9,200 km). Greater range is possible if less cargo weight is carried.
As the aircraft promises improved operating economics compared to older freighters, airlines have viewed the 777F as a replacement for freighters such as the Boeing 747-200F, McDonnell Douglas MD-10 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11F.
