Biman plans to add more turboprop to its fleet

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon has told the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) that Biman Bangladesh Airlines has planned to induct more new generation turboprop aircraft to its fleet. "This plan is under consideration to operate flights on domestic and short distance international routes, he told the House on Sunday while responding to a tabled starred question from ruling party MP Amina Ahmed (Women Seat-34) in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). Currently, Biman has Two Dash 8-Q400s turboprop aircraft in its fleet. To modernise Biman, the minister said, a report had been formulated in 2008. As per the report, Biman inked an agreement with Boeing to procure 10 new aircraft. Of the 10 aircraft, Menon said, four have already been inducted in Biman's fleet. "As a result, the expenditure for fuel, aircraft repair and maintenance have decreased significantly," he said. The minister said to make the Biman profitable through expanding its wings in more destinations, two 777-200 inducted in the fleet on five year’s lease. He said that as part of the agreement with Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer will deliver two 737-800s in November-December of the current year while four 787-8 in 2019-2020, according to UNB.