The prime minister herself chose the name for the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, a long-haul, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airline.
The Boeing company described the aircraft to have “unparalleled fuel efficiency and range flexibility” offering its passengers “an experience like none other in the air, with more comfort and less fatigue”.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal was present at the function as the special guest held at the VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here.
Chairman of Biman’s Board of Director Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Enamul Bari and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque also spoke at the function, while Biman Managing Director and CEO AM Mosaddique Ahmed delivered the welcome address.
Ministers, PM’s advisers, parliament members, the chiefs of three services, foreign diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
The prime minister said some countries had imposed sanction on the Shahjalal International Airport on security grounds. “But they have withdrawn it following the development of security system,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh achieved independence through the liberation war. “We want to live and move with honour and dignity that were lost after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975,” she added.
The prime minister said Bangladesh will celebrate the golden jubilee of its independence in 2021. “We’ve set a goal of celebrating the occasion in the light of seventh five-year plan and the 10-year perspective plan,” she said.
Pointing out that improved connectivity is very important for any country, the prime minister said her government after assuming office made massive development of country’s all airports including the premier Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
She said it was her government which set up boarding bridge in the Shahjalal Airport and developed the car parking zone in 1996.
The prime minister said when her government assumed office in 2009, it found Biman at the verge of breaking down. Rundown aircraft fleet, schedule failure and endless complains were the routine of those days, she said.
To tackle this disaster, she said, the government implemented a planned course of action and began work with a renewed enthusiasm.
The premier said she instructed the Biman Board of Directors to build Biman as a modern airline.
In that chronology, Sheikh Hasina said, five aircrafts – Palki, Arun Alo, Akaashpradip, Rangaprobhat, Meghdoot and Mayurpankhi – were added.
Recalling the voyage of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the premier said it came into being holding the hands of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and Biman are stringed together,” she said.
Later, the Prime Minister cut a cake, boarded the aircraf and visited its different sections.
Officials said Biman signed a $2.1 billion deal to buy four 787 Dreamliners and six other aircraft with US planemaker Boeing in 2008.
The first Dreamliner arrived on August 19, while another is expected to arrive in November this year and the two others in September next year, Biman spokesman Shakil Meraj said.
The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average speed of 650 miles per hour, according to Biman officials.
The 271-seat Boeing 787-8 has been designed to be 20 percent fuel efficient than the other aircrafts.
It will provide its passengers with WiFi facilities at an altitude of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse internet or connect with their friends and family at any end of the world.