3rd Dash-8 aircraft reaches Dhaka

The third Dash-8 aircraft purchased from Canada reached Dhaka this afternoon.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina named the new aircraft as "Shwetbalaka", said a press release of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

The first Dash-8 aircraft out of three, purchased on a government-to-government basis from Canada, was added to Biman's fleet on December 27, 2020, while the second arrived in the country on February 24, 2021.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali received the Dash-8 model aircraft, built by Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland, at 5:36pm at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, Chairman of Biman Board of Directors Sajjadul Hasan, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab) Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, and Managing Director & CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal were present, among others.

Immediately after receiving the aircraft, Mahbub Ali said he is very delighted as the third Dash-8 aircraft reached home within the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He said it is expected that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would formally inaugurate the two new aircrafts -- "Akash Tori" and "Shwetbalaka".