Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inspected newly procured second Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—the most state-of-the-art aircraft named ‘Hangsabalaka’—at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the city.

The Prime Minister boarded the new aircraft and went round its different zones, including the cockpit, reports the UNB.

On the occasion, a special munajat was offered seeking blessings of Almighty Allah for the continued peace, prosperity and progress of the country.

The 271-seat capacity Dreamliner arrived here on Saturday last from Penfield Airport in Seattle Boeing Headquarters in the USA.

The Prime Minister herself chose the name ‘Hangshabalaka’ for the most modern version of the Boeing added to Biman.

Officials said, Dreamliner Hangsabalaka will formally start flying on different routes from Dhaka from December 10 next.

On the first day, the new aircraft will fly on Dhaka-London route carrying passengers from Dhaka.

They said Dreamliner will fly on Dhaka-London, Dhaka-Dammam and on Dhaka-Bangkok routes.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines got the first of its ‘Dreamliner’ on August 19 last and the Boeing will hand over two more Dreamliners to Biman in September next as per the agreement signed between the two sides.

The Dreamliner has been designed as 20 percent fuel efficient carrier than 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 at any end of the world.

In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircraft. Of these, Boeing has already delivered four 777-300ER’s, two 737-800’s and two Dreamliners to Biman.

Two more Dreamliners — ‘Rajhangsha‘ and ‘Shankhachil’ — will be added to Biman’s fleet by September next, the officials added.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry Muhammad Faruk Khan were, among others, present.