Biman to add new aircraft to fleet today

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate a brand new Dash-8 400 aircraft today for its inclusion in the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

With the factory made Dash-8, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and named "Dhrubotara" by the PM, the number of aircraft in Biman's fleet will rise to 19, said Tahera Khondoker, spokesperson of the national flag carrier.

Biman owns most of the 19 aircraft, of which four are 777-300 ER, four 787-8, two 787-9, six 737 and three are Dash-8 400 aircraft, she also said.

The premier will inaugurate the aircraft through video conferencing at 11am.

The aircraft is the first of three purchased on government-to-government basis between Bangladesh and Canada, Biman said in a statement yesterday.

The new Dash 8-400 is a 74-seater aircraft built by De Havilland, a well-known Canadian aircraft manufacturer.

Equipped with eco-friendly facilities, the aircraft has HEPA filter technology that purifies the air inside the aircraft by destroying bacteria, viruses and other germs.

The aircraft will also have more leg space, LED lighting and wide windows, according to the statement..

Since the beginning of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in March, the aviation sector has been struggling to survive due to the suspension of regular flights.

Although flight operation resumed from the middle of July, Biman is yet to begin its flight operation in full swing.

Of the total 17 international routes, the national airliner is now operating its flight on nine routes.

After being forced by the government, Biman had to suspend its flight operation on three routes in Saudi Arabia and Muscat route in Oman.

Top officials of Biman said flow of passengers in different routes is also not satisfactory.

"Under this grave situation, inclusion of new aircraft in Biman is not seen as a very good news," the official said.

M Mohibul Haque, senior secretary of the civil aviation ministry, earlier told this correspondent that around Tk 200 crore is needed to carry out maintenance of Biman aircraft now.

Biman officials said they plan to increase its flight frequency on domestic and short-haul international routes with the new aircraft.