'Akashbeena' makes maiden London flight

Akashbeena, the Boeing Dreamliner of Biman Bangladesh, yesterday made its maiden flight to London prior to its regular operation to Europe scheduled to start from December 10.

“The maiden Dreamliner London flight BG-001 left Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at 11:20am today, carrying 251 passengers,” Biman's General Manager (PR) Shakil Meraj said yesterday.

The national flag carrier usually operates Dhaka-London-Sylhet-Dhaka flights by its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft four days a week.

Earlier, Biman decided to increase flight frequency to six flights a week instead of four on the London route from December 10.

Biman received the brand new Boeing 787-8 known as the “Dreamliner” in August. The new aircraft, fifteenth in Biman's fleet, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who named it as “Akashbeena”.

Until now, the aircraft is being used to operate flights from Dhaka to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.