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PM-BIMAN-DREAMLINER 3 LAST DHAKA
Pointing out that improved connectivity is very important for any
country, the prime minister said her government after assuming office made
massive development of country’s all airports including the premier Hazrat
Shahjalal International Airport.
She said it was her government which set up boarding bridge in the
Shahjalal Airport and developed the car parking zone in 1996.
Awami League government turned Chattagram and Sylhet Airports as
international ones, Sheikh Hasina said, adding that but the condition of
Biman aircraft was dilapidated and its services dropped drastically after the
BNP-Jamaat alliance came to the power.
The prime minister said when her government assumed office in 2009, it
found Biman at the verge of breaking down. Rundown aircraft fleet, schedule
failure and endless complains were the routine of those days, she said.
To tackle this disaster, she said, the government implemented a planned
course of action and began work with a renewed enthusiasm.
The premier said she instructed the Biman Board of Directors to build
Biman as a modern airline.
In that chronology, Sheikh Hasina said, five aircrafts – Palki, Arun Alo,
Akaashpradip, Rangaprobhat, Meghdoot and Mayurpankhi – were added.
“These large and most advanced aircrafts are a wonder of the sky which
have enhanced Biman to the equals of internal standard airline,” she said.
The premier said at the same time to increase the domestic connectivity, the
government has made a purchase agreement to acquire another three Dash-8
Bombardier aircrafts with Canada.
“I’m hopeful, with the addition of new aircrafts to the fleet, Biman
will keep on flying to new destinations and the Biman management is working
towards that goal,” she said.
Recalling the voyage of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the premier said it
came into being holding the hands of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman. “Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and Biman are stringed together,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the people of a free Bangladesh looked up into the
sky and dreamt of an airline of their own and Bangabandhu made the dream into
reality.
“Biman took form within the first 19 days of our independence and the
history of Biman and the freedom of our nation go hand in hand,” she said.
Later, the Prime Minister cut a cake, boarded the aircraf and visited its
different sections.
Officials said Biman signed a $2.1 billion deal to buy four 787
Dreamliners and six other aircraft with US planemaker Boeing in 2008.
The first Dreamliner arrived on August 19, while another is expected to
arrive in November this year and the two others in September next year, Biman
spokesman Shakil Meraj said.
The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average
speed of 650 miles per hour, according to Biman officials.
The 271-seat Boeing 787-8 has been designed to be 20 percent fuel
efficient than the other aircrafts.
It will provide its passengers with WiFi facilities at an altitude of
43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse internet or connect with their
friends and family at any end of the world.
The Dreamliner will add to the passengers’ safe journey and drive Biman’s
profits, Biman Managing Director and CEO AM Mosaddique Ahmed said.
He said the Dreamliner will fly to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur every day
of the week, with flights to Singapore in the morning and Kuala Lumpur later
in the evening.
After adding the Dreamliner, Biman officials said, the national flag
carrier has 15 aircraft in its fleet, which would enable Biman to enter a new
era of modern aviation.
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