US-Bangla Airlines Enhances Fleet with Wet-Leased Boeing 737 from KlasJet for Expanded International Service

US-Bangla Airlines, the largest private airline in Bangladesh, has augmented its fleet with a wet-leased Boeing 737-800 from Lithuania’s KlasJet, a move aimed at supporting the carrier’s ambitious plans to expand its international footprint. The lease agreement, set for a three-month period ending in mid-May 2024, brings an additional 737-800, registered as LY-TFS (msn 37741), into US-Bangla’s operations.

The aircraft, which was ferried from Belgrade to Dhaka via Tbilisi on February 8, commenced service with US-Bangla Airlines on February 12. It has since been utilized on key international routes, including flights from Dhaka to Dubai International and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, indicating the airline’s focus on enhancing connectivity and service offerings on its international network.

US-Bangla Airlines boasts a diverse in-house fleet that includes seven 737-800s, one A330-300, ten ATR72-600s, and three DHC-8-Q400s. Additionally, the carrier benefits from wet-lease arrangements with other Bangladeshi airlines, such as an ATR72-500 from NovoAir and a 737-200(F) from SkyAir, further evidencing its strategic approach to fleet management and operational flexibility.

This latest lease with KlasJet is part of US-Bangla’s strategy to bolster its service capacity, especially in light of its recent induction of an A330-300 and its anticipation of receiving its first 737-8 in the fourth quarter of 2024. The partnership with KlasJet, an ACMI and charter specialist within the Avia Solutions Group, underscores US-Bangla’s commitment to expanding its service horizons across the Middle East and Asia, offering passengers more travel options and improved connectivity.

KlasJet, for its part, maintains a versatile fleet catering to charter and ACMI operations, including 737-800s, 737-300s, 737-500s, a 737-800BBJ (VIP), and a Challenger 850. The company’s ambition to grow its passenger ACMI operations to a fleet of 35 aircraft within five years highlights the dynamic nature of the ACMI and charter market and the strategic partnerships airlines like US-Bangla Airlines can leverage to enhance their competitive edge in the global aviation industry.