Boeing purchase demand-driven not under external pressure: Humaiun 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Tuesday that Bangladesh's decision to purchase Boeing aircraft is driven by the country's growing aviation requirements, not under any external pressure.

Ruling out any pressure from the US side over the purchase of additional Boeing aircraft, Humaiun Kobir said the approach is demand-driven and that Bangladesh needs to expand its aircraft fleet to open new routes, improve passenger services and strengthen its position as an aviation gateway in Asia.

The latest discussion over aircraft procurement surfaced after Gor said in a social media post that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had struck "another incredible deal" under which Bangladesh would spend "Billions of Dollars" on more Boeing aircraft and significantly increase its initial order.

Gor, however, did not disclose the number or models of additional aircraft or details of any fresh purchase agreement. "Just this week, President Trump and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) made another incredible deal, with Bangladesh committing to spend billions of dollars to buy more Boeing aircraft, significantly increasing their initial order," Gor said in a post on X on Sunday night.

"No, not under any pressure but as per the demand of the aviation sector. We will buy additional aircraft according to our needs," Kobir told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a journalist drew his attention to the purchase of additional Boeing aircraft from the United States.

Kobir made the remarks when a reporter asked about US Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs and Ambassador to India Sergio Gor's recent statement that Bangladesh would spend billions of dollars to purchase more Boeing aircraft at the Foreign Ministry.

The state minister said Bangladesh needs to substantially expand its aircraft fleet if it wants to open new routes, increase passenger traffic and revenue, and emerge as a regional aviation hub. "We want to develop Bangladesh into an aviation hub in Asia. To become an important gateway in this region, we need to serve many more routes. For that, we need a larger aircraft fleet," he said.

Referring to the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, Kobir said the African carrier now operates more than 150 aircraft, while Bangladesh could require 70 to 80 aircraft or even more over the next 10 to 15 years.

He said Bangladesh would need aircraft from manufacturers such as Boeing or Airbus to meet its long-term requirements. "Based on our requirements, we have taken an in-principle decision to purchase Boeing aircraft," he said.

Kobir said the country currently lacks sufficient fleet capacity to achieve its aviation ambitions. "We have to increase our fleet capacity. Otherwise, we will not be able to open new routes, and we will lose business," he said.

The state minister said aircraft procurement would be undertaken in line with the country's requirements and financial capacity. "We have to meet the needs of our aviation sector, ensure passenger services and develop Bangladesh into an aviation hub serving routes to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and beyond."

Kobir also said Bangladesh maintains strong relations with both Washington and Beijing as part of its balanced foreign policy, while the United States remains one of the country's major development partners.

Dhaka, he said, wants to further expand trade and investment relations with Washington.