Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday hinted at purchasing two more Boeing aircrafts for Biman Bangladesh Airlines and asked the authorities of the national flag carrier to work with honesty and sincerity to ensure the quality of passenger services, reports BSS.
“Apart from the existing aircraft, three Dash Bombardier planes will be added to the Biman fleet. We have also got news that Boeing is interested to sell its two aircraft soon, the order of which was canceled by somebody else… we’ll take this opportunity,” she said. The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at the induction ceremony of Biman’s 4th Dreamliner, ‘Rajhangsa’, at the VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, the premier formally commissioned the newly-procured state-of-the-art aircraft of the national flag carrier by cutting a ribbon at the VVIP Tarmac of HSIA. After the inauguration, Sheikh Hasina boarded the aircraft, inspected it and talked to the pilots and the crew members. A prayer was offered on the occasion, seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said the country’s foreign currency reserve remains at a good position and there will be no problem to purchase two new Boeing aircrafts. The fourth Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the 16th aircraft of the national flag carrier, was added to the Biman’s fleet on September 14. It landed at HSIA directly from the USA’s Seattle’s Boeing Factory in the afternoon on the day.
Biman’s acting Managing Director and CEO Captain Farhat Hasan Jamil along with other high officials received the Dreamliner at the airport after welcoming it with a water cannon salute. Earlier, the first and second Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, named as ‘Akash Beena’ and ‘Hangsabalaka’ respectively, arrived in the capital in August and December last year, while the third one known as ‘Gaangchil’ landed in July last.
In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircraft. As per the deal, Boeing has already delivered all the aircraft – four 777-300ER’s, two 737-800’s and four Dreamliners – to Biman. Rajhangsa, the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, has been designed as 20 percent fuel efficient carrier compared to the other aircraft. The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average speed of 650 miles per hour.
It will provide its passengers with WiFi services at a height of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse internet or connect with their friends and family from any place of the world. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Mohibul Haque, Chairman of Board of Directors of Biman Air Marshal (Retd) Muhammad Enamul Bari also spoke at the induction ceremony.
Managing Director and CEO of Biman Md Mokabbir Hossain delivered the welcome address. Ministers, advisers, parliament members, dignitaries and high civil and military officials were present at the function. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller was also present at the ceremony.
