BSS :
Two more new generation aircraft has been added to Bangladesh Biman, reaching total number of its own Boeing to six in the fleet of the national flag carrier.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the induction of two 162-seat aircraft ‘Meghdoot’ and ‘Moyurpanki’ into Biman fleet at a function at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) here today hoping that the induction would help booming country’s aviation industry as well as brighten Bangladesh’s image abroad.
The government has undertaken a plan for construction of the third terminal of the HSIA, expansion of the runway, increase the parking facility and up-gradation of the aviation services, the Prime Minister said.
Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashed Khan Menon attended the function as special guest. Chairman of Biman Board of Directors Air Marshal Jamal Uddin (retd), Civil Aviation Secretary M Khurshid Alam Chowdhury, Charge-de affaires of US embassy David Meale, representative of Boeing Company Savitha Gowda and acting managing director of Biman M M Asaduzzaman also spoke on the occasion.
Sheikh Hasina said Biman is not only a carrying company. It carries our national flag and represents the country abroad. Our honour and dignity is related with the national organization, she said.
Terming Bangladesh Biman as a symbol of country’s image, the Prime Minister said it’s the duty of the Biman officials and employees to protect the organization.
She said the Awami League government has made Bangladesh Biman a modern organization through inducting new generation carriers. No previous government could show the success. As the true public representative only Awami League government could do this, she said.
Sheikh Hasina urged the officials and employees of Biman to work with devotion and sincerity for its better operation saying their good work would bring betterment for their own. Honour and dignity of the nation depends on your professionalism and good services, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman felt necessity of a national airline agency after independence. Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its journey in 1972 under his supervision and he himself oversaw the preparing of its logo.
Sheikh Hasina said Awami League government after coming to power in 1996 had taken steps for development of the airports including procurement of new aircraft. At that time initiative was taken for construction of the car parking, boarding bridges, she said.
Laying importance on improvement of the passenger services, she said, Bangladesh nationals living abroad want to fly by Bangladesh Biman. They will surely keep Biman in their first choice if they get better service, she said.
Chairman of Biman Board presented a Biman replica to the Prime Minister and she cut a cake on the occasion of induction of Meghdoot’ and ‘Moyurpanki’.
All the six Boeing aircraft were procured directly from the US aircraft manufacturer during the tenure of the present government. Two 419 seated aircraft- ‘Pulki’ and ‘Arun Alo’-were purchased in 2011 while ‘Akash Pradip’ and ‘Ranga Probhat’ were procured in 2013 to operate flights on long international routes. While Meghdoot and Moyurpanki will fly on domestic and short distance international routes.
The newly procured two boeings of 737-800 model are installed with two CFM 56-7B having 12 business class seats and 150 seats of economy class. The aircraft are installed with most modern in flight entertainment system from Rockwell-Collins.
