Hinting at purchasing two more Boeing aircrafts for Bangladesh Biman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the national flag carrier authorities to work with honesty and sincerity to ensure an excellent passenger service.
The prime minister hinted the purchase while addressing the induction ceremony of Biman’s 4th Dreamliner, "Rajhangsa," at the VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Tuesday afternoon.
“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 two of its aircrafts soon, and we plan to take the opportunity,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also said Bangladesh's foreign currency reserve is in a good position, and there will be no problem to purchase two new Boeing aircrafts.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Mohibul Haque, and 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 speech. 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.
PM inaugurates Biman’s 'Rajhangsa'
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also inaugurated “Rajhangsa,” the 4th Dreamliner of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
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 Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the afternoon of the same day.
After the inauguration, Sheikh Hasina boarded the aircraft, inspected its inside, and spoke to the pilots and the crew members.
A munajat was offered on the occasion, seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.
The fourth Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the 16th aircraft of the national flag carrier, was added to Biman’s fleet on Saturday. It landed at HSIA directly, from the USA’s Seattle’s Boeing Factory, in the afternoon the same day.
Rajhangsa, the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, has been designed as a 20% 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 is set to provide its passengers with WiFi services at a height of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse the internet or connect with their friends and family from any place of the world.
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 Bangladesh in August and December 2018, while the third one known as ‘Gaangchil’ landed in July.
The prime minister named all the Dreamliners, Biman sources said.
In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a $2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircrafts.
As per the deal, Boeing has already delivered all the aircrafts – four 777-300ERs, two 737-800s, and four Dreamliners – to Biman.
