The 1977-model planes arrived on Zia International Airport (ZIA) on Tuesday night. Biman bought the aircraft for $2.91 million from Indonesian Hiebert Group Ltd, bringing five the number of planes in the F-28 fleet.

Biman pilots and some officials opposed the procurement considering the outdated model and fearing risk of incurring huge loss on account of heavy maintenance cost. Pilots of the F-28 fleet last month also refused to fly the old planes to Nepal, finding the planes not technically sound for hilly terrain.

Biman has already floated tender to buy a backup engine for the F-28s fearing mechanical glitch of throttling up maintenance cost. The Rolls-Royce-manufactured engine will cost Biman no less than $5.25 lakh, 35 percent of the price of a similar aircraft.

The purchase goes against Biman's fleet planning committee's modernisation plan, which recommends procurement of new generation planes to expand operation and earn profit.

However, Managing Director of Biman Akhter Hossain Khan said the aircraft, maintained in European standard, are still in good condition. He said after registration by civil aviation authorities, the planes may start operation on domestic and regional routes in two-three days.

Four Indonesian pilots, who have flown the planes from Indonesia, will leave Dhaka after familiarisation of local pilots with the aircraft, he said.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin yesterday pay a visit to the F-28s at Biman's engineering hangar at the ZIA.

The minister told newspersons that the new planes will help Biman to maintain its schedule and increase flight frequency on some important routes.

Biman has bought the planes with the money it got from the sale of two ATP (Advanced Turbo Prop) planes earlier this year, he said.