Shawdesh Desk:

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday inaugurated “Rajhangsa”, the fourth Dreamliner of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, reports news agency BSS.

The prime minister formally commissioned the newly-procured state-of-the-art aircraft of the national flag carrier by cutting a ribbon at the VVIP Tarmac of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital this afternoon.

After the inauguration, Sheikh Hasina boarded the aircraft, inspected its inside and talked to the pilots and the crew members.

A munajat was offered on the occasion, seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

The fourth Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the 16th aircraft of the national flag carrier, was added to the Biman’s fleet on 14 September. It landed at HSIA directly from the USA’s Seattle’s Boeing Factory in the afternoon on the day.

Biman’s acting managing director and CEO Captain Farhat Hasan Jamil along with other high officials received the Dreamliner at the airport after welcoming it with a water cannon salute.

Earlier, the first and second Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, named as ‘Akash Beena’ and ‘Hangsabalaka’ respectively, arrived Dhaka in August this year and in December last year, while the third one known as ‘Gaangchil’ landed in July last.

The prime minister named all the Dreamliners, Biman sources said.

In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircrafts.

As per the deal, Boeing has already delivered all the aircraft –- four 777-300ER’s, two 737-800’s and four Dreamliners -– to Biman.

Rajhangsa, the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, has been designed as 20 per cent fuel efficient carrier compared to the other aircraft. The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average speed of 650 miles per hour.

It will provide its passengers with WiFi services at a height of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse the internet or connect with their friends and family from any place of the world.