Akashbeena begins journey

M Humayun Kabir: Akashbeena, the first-ever dreamliner of Bangladesh Biman started its formal journey yesterday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally opened its wing in the sky from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport aimed at making the national flag carrier more vibrant, reports Daily Sun.
The aircraft will initially be used to operate flights from Dhaka to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in its first month, after which it will be considered for flights to New York and Canada.
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.
The 271-seat Boeing 787-8 has been designed to be 20 percent fuel efficient than the other aircrafts.
Biman general manager (public relations) Shakil Meraj said the Dreamliner will fly to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur every day of the week, with flights to Singapore in the morning and Kuala Lumpur later in the evening.
The state-run airlines brought Boeing 787 Dreamliner having modern technology and facilities, he said, adding the national flag carrier has 15 aircraft in its fleet, which would enable Biman to enter a new era of modern aviation.
In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$ 2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircrafts, of which Akashbeena dreamliner was the seventh.
On August 19, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, landed in the airport.
The remaining three are slated to join Biman’s fleet by November this year and two more by September in 2019 respectively.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines started its journey on January 4, 1972.