Biman Bangladesh Airlines has received delivery of the first of three new Dash 8-400 aircraft. The 74-seat aircraft, named “Dhurbatara” by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 3:33pm on Tuesday.

Biman officials welcomed the aircraft with a water cannon salute, said a press release issued in this regard.

This new aircraft, manufactured by De Havilland Canada, will join two other Dash 8-400 aircraft that were introduced to Biman’s fleet in 2015 and 2018 respectively.

Two more new Dash 8-400 aircraft are scheduled to join Biman in January and February of next year -- bringing the number of aircraft of the same model in its fleet to five.

The aircraft were ordered under a purchase agreement signed between the national flag carrier and the Canadian Commercial Corporation in 2018.

“The addition of three Dash 8-400 aircraft to the fleet will increase Biman’s flight frequency on domestic and short-haul international routes. The new Dash 8-400 aircraft - built by De Haviland Canada - is equipped with eco-friendly and state-of-the-art facilities.

“The 74-seat aircraft is equipped with HEPA filter technology that completely purifies the air inside an aircraft by destroying bacteria, viruses and other germs in just 4 minutes,” reads the release.

The inclusion of the new Dash 8-400 takes the total number of aircraft in Biman’s fleet to 19.

Senior Biman and aviation officials were present during the arrival of the aircraft, said the release.

Deshsangbad/dt/fh/mmh