Biman inducts Dreamliner 787-8 to its fleet
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commissioned the country's first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, “Akash Beena”, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in on September 5.
The name Akash Beena, Biman’s first ever “Dreamliner” was chosen by prime minister herself for the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, a long-haul, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airline.
A state-of-the art aircraft of Boeing company described the aircraft to have “unparalleled fuel efficiency and range flexibility” offering its passengers “an experience like none other in the air, with more comfort and less fatigue”.
The superlight aircraft is designed to be 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than similar-sized planes— and boasts state-of-the-art facilities — including in-flight WiFi services.
Sheikh Hasina asked the Biman staff to particularly give proper attention so the foreign, local passengers and expatriates Bangladeshis could quickly complete their immigration formalities and get luggage.
“The process will have to be expedited by using modern technology so the passengers could quickly leave the airport,” she said and simultaneously asked all concerned to give more importance to aviation and airport security issues.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal was present at the function held at the VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Chairman of Biman’s Board of Director Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Enamul Bari and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque also spoke at the function, while Biman Managing Director and CEO AM Mosaddique Ahmed delivered the welcome address.
Biman Managing Director said Akash Beena will initially operate on the -Singapore and -Kuala Lumpur routes every day of the week.
After the inauguration, “Akash Beena” took to the sky in its maiden flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The fare for economy class tickets on the Dreamliner’s Singapore flight has been set at $200 (excluding taxes and other surcharges), while the same tickets for the Kuala Lumpur route will be sold at $290.
Biman received the delivery of its first Dreamliner on August 19. The aircraft flew directly to from Boeing’s factory in the US city of Seattle—in 15 hours.
