PM opens Biman’s third Dreamliner ‘Gaangchil’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 'Gaangchil', the third Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, setting up a new milestone for the national flag carrier.

"The induction of Gaangchil into the Biman's fleet is another milestone for the national flag carrier … it's day of fulfilling the dream," she told the induction ceremony of the state-of-the-art aircraft at the VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) here this afternoon.

Earlier, the prime minister commissioned 'Gangchil' cutting a ribbon at the VVIP Tarmac of HSIA.

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

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

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Mohibul Haque, Chairman of Board of Directors of Biman Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Enamul Bari also spoke at the induction ceremony.

Managing Director and CEO of Biman Captain Farhat Hasan Jamil delivered the welcome address.

Ministers, advisers, parliament members and dignitaries were present at the function.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller was also present at the ceremony.

Biman's MD and CEO said 'Gangchil' will depart Dhaka for Abu Dhabi in its maiden flight at 5:30 pm today.

The third Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the 15th aircraft of the national flag carrier, was added to the Biman's fleet on July 25. It landed at HISA directly from the USA's Seattle's Boeing Factory in the afternoon on the day.

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

Earlier, the first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, named as 'Akash Beena', arrived here in August last year, while the second one known as 'Hangsabalaka' arrived in December last.

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

Of those, Boeing has already delivered four 777-300ER's and two 737-800's and three Dreamliners to Biman.

The fourth Dreamliner 'Rajhangsha', the last one of the 10 new aircraft, will be added to the Biman's fleet next month, the sources said.

Gangchil, the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, has been designed as 20 percent 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 provides 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 at any end of the world.