Wednesday, 27 August, 2025
Bangladesh’s decision to purchase 25 aircraft from US aerospace giant Boeing has stirred intense debate, not only for its economic rationale but also due to the company’s deeply troubled safety record.
The high-value order comes amid ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, as Dhaka seeks to ease the threat of steep tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman confirmed on Sunday that the government had expanded its initial order of 14 aircraft to 25. “We immediately need some aircraft, possibly within the next couple of years,” he said.
The acquisition aligns with the government's long-term plans to modernise Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet, though the timing is politically significant. By increasing imports of US goods—such as wheat, soyabean oil, cotton, and now aircraft—Bangladesh hopes to rebalance its trade deficit with the United States and reduce tariff pressures.
Yet, the selection of Boeing—currently facing one of the most damaging reputational crises in its history—has drawn sharp scrutiny. Just weeks earlier, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing at least 270 people. The cause is still under investigation. Although the Dreamliner had previously enjoyed a strong safety record, the crash has once again placed Boeing under the microscope.
This incident adds to a string of high-profile controversies.
The twin crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people and were attributed to a flawed automated system. These tragedies prompted a global grounding of the model, triggered multiple investigations, and culminated in Boeing admitting to obstructing a federal probe.
The company, however, agreed to pay $1.1 billion to avoid criminal prosecution, deepening concerns over its internal culture and commitment to safety.
Even before these events, Boeing's 747 model—once celebrated for transforming long-haul travel—was involved in some of the deadliest incidents in aviation history. Of 64 hull-loss incidents involving the 747, many resulted in significant loss of life.
While Boeing argues that most of these tragedies stemmed from pilot error or external conditions, its production standards have come under sustained attack from former employees and regulators.
Whistleblower accounts have exposed serious quality control failures, particularly at Boeing’s 787 production facility in South Carolina. John Barnett, a former quality manager, alleged that defective parts and metal shavings were knowingly installed in aircraft. His concerns were partly upheld by the US Federal Aviation Administration, although Boeing maintained that these issues posed no safety risk. Barnett later died by suicide while testifying in a whistleblower lawsuit.
Engineer Sam Salehpour, another whistleblower, testified before US lawmakers that over 1,000 Dreamliners may contain structural flaws due to shortcuts taken during assembly. These, he warned, “could eventually lead to catastrophic failure”. Boeing disputes the claims, citing FAA reviews that concluded the aircraft remains safe.
With such a history, why did Bangladesh still proceed with the Boeing deal?
Aviation analysts cite limited alternatives and strategic necessity. The commercial aircraft market is effectively a duopoly between Boeing and Airbus. Given Airbus’s long order backlog, Boeing may have been the only realistic supplier capable of meeting Bangladesh’s immediate needs.
Despite its troubles, Boeing is also considered a technological leader. The 787, designed for fuel efficiency and long-haul flexibility, remains highly popular with airlines and is seen as a better fit for modern routes than Airbus’s now-discontinued A380 superjumbo.
According to aviation expert Richard Aboulafia, the Dreamliner’s operational record remains strong. “It’s been 16 years, 1,200 jets, over a billion passengers flown, and no crashes until now,” he said. He views production issues as largely historic, with improved oversight in recent years.
Still, trust in Boeing is far from restored. Its leadership has undergone major restructuring, and its pledge to overhaul safety and quality procedures remains under watch. For Bangladesh, the purchase is a calculated risk—one shaped by economic strategy and geopolitical pressures, but shadowed by unresolved questions over safety and accountability.
Comments
Bangladesh’s decision to purchase 25 aircraft from US aerospace giant Boeing has stirred intense debate, not only for its economic rationale but also due to the company’s deeply troubled safety record.
The high-value order comes amid ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, as Dhaka seeks to ease the threat of steep tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman confirmed on Sunday that the government had expanded its initial order of 14 aircraft to 25. “We immediately need some aircraft, possibly within the next couple of years,” he said.
The acquisition aligns with the government's long-term plans to modernise Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet, though the timing is politically significant. By increasing imports of US goods—such as wheat, soyabean oil, cotton, and now aircraft—Bangladesh hopes to rebalance its trade deficit with the United States and reduce tariff pressures.
Yet, the selection of Boeing—currently facing one of the most damaging reputational crises in its history—has drawn sharp scrutiny. Just weeks earlier, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing at least 270 people. The cause is still under investigation. Although the Dreamliner had previously enjoyed a strong safety record, the crash has once again placed Boeing under the microscope.
This incident adds to a string of high-profile controversies.
The twin crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people and were attributed to a flawed automated system. These tragedies prompted a global grounding of the model, triggered multiple investigations, and culminated in Boeing admitting to obstructing a federal probe.
The company, however, agreed to pay $1.1 billion to avoid criminal prosecution, deepening concerns over its internal culture and commitment to safety.
Even before these events, Boeing's 747 model—once celebrated for transforming long-haul travel—was involved in some of the deadliest incidents in aviation history. Of 64 hull-loss incidents involving the 747, many resulted in significant loss of life.
While Boeing argues that most of these tragedies stemmed from pilot error or external conditions, its production standards have come under sustained attack from former employees and regulators.
Whistleblower accounts have exposed serious quality control failures, particularly at Boeing’s 787 production facility in South Carolina. John Barnett, a former quality manager, alleged that defective parts and metal shavings were knowingly installed in aircraft. His concerns were partly upheld by the US Federal Aviation Administration, although Boeing maintained that these issues posed no safety risk. Barnett later died by suicide while testifying in a whistleblower lawsuit.
Engineer Sam Salehpour, another whistleblower, testified before US lawmakers that over 1,000 Dreamliners may contain structural flaws due to shortcuts taken during assembly. These, he warned, “could eventually lead to catastrophic failure”. Boeing disputes the claims, citing FAA reviews that concluded the aircraft remains safe.
With such a history, why did Bangladesh still proceed with the Boeing deal?
Aviation analysts cite limited alternatives and strategic necessity. The commercial aircraft market is effectively a duopoly between Boeing and Airbus. Given Airbus’s long order backlog, Boeing may have been the only realistic supplier capable of meeting Bangladesh’s immediate needs.
Despite its troubles, Boeing is also considered a technological leader. The 787, designed for fuel efficiency and long-haul flexibility, remains highly popular with airlines and is seen as a better fit for modern routes than Airbus’s now-discontinued A380 superjumbo.
According to aviation expert Richard Aboulafia, the Dreamliner’s operational record remains strong. “It’s been 16 years, 1,200 jets, over a billion passengers flown, and no crashes until now,” he said. He views production issues as largely historic, with improved oversight in recent years.
Still, trust in Boeing is far from restored. Its leadership has undergone major restructuring, and its pledge to overhaul safety and quality procedures remains under watch. For Bangladesh, the purchase is a calculated risk—one shaped by economic strategy and geopolitical pressures, but shadowed by unresolved questions over safety and accountability.
Comments
