A brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, named “Akash Pradip,” arrived in Dhaka yesterday, as part of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ plans of increasing its punctuality, which currently stands at around 65% timely flights.
The new Boeing aircraft, the third of its kind to be included in the Biman fleet, arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at around 1pm; while the fourth Boeing 777-300ER, named “Ranga Provath,” is expected to be delivered on March 21.
Earlier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines made a contract with Boeing for 11 aircrafts and the rest of the crafts will come by 2019, sources said.
“The new craft ‘Akash Pradip’ will make our task easier and also help to increase the punctuality rate of Biman certainly,” Mohammad Sha Newaz, director (marketing and sales) of Biman, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
He also said another craft due for next month would help Biman to be established as a standard carrier.
When contacted, Biman’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin Steele said the fourth Boeing 777-300ER would be delivered on March 21, while two more Boeing 777-200ERs are being dry leased from EgyptAir in the next two months.
Steele added that he expected Biman to achieve 75-80% punctuality, the same level as most major European airlines, by next year.
Along with the Biman CEO, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Khurshed Alam also welcomed the new aircraft at the airport.
Earlier on Thursday, Boeing, one of the world’s leading aerospace company, handed over its fourth generation aircraft to Biman in Seattle.
Debabrata Banik, chief engineer of the national flag carrier who was on “Akash Pradip” during the trip from Seattle to Dhaka, said: “It is a smooth and the most modern craft so far in Biman’s history.
“We had arranged test flights on January 30 and 31 in the sky of Seattle. Our pilots are so happy with this type of craft,” he added.
Sources said “Akash Pradip” is expected to fly for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia within the next 10 to 12 days.
“We have a plan to continue our service with Akash Pradip in London and Rome, also with Jeddah and Riyadh,” Mohammad Sha Newaz told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.
Biman sources said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join next week’s induction programme of the new aircraft, which will also bid farewell to the old DC-10.
Earlier in 2012, Biman was delivered two Boeing 777-300ERs named “Palki” and “Arun Alo,” both powered by twin engines and housing 419 seats.
Biman also has plans to procure four Boeing 737-800s and two Boeing 787-8s by 2019.
According to Biman, the Boeing 777-300ER is 19% lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing fuel requirement.
Biman starts for Frankfurt
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to begin two weekly flights from Dhaka to Frankfurt from March 31.
The new service will be operated with brand new Boeing 777-300 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 384 seats in Economy and 35 in Business Class, departing on Monday and Friday, with a brief stop at Rome-Fumicino, according to the Biman website.
