DHAKA: With the arrival of Biman’s newly procured two Dash8 Q400s Friday, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is all set to resume its full-blown domestic operations from April 6 as per earlier announcement and new schedule.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally release the two lease-hold aircraft for commercial operations on April 5 at VVIP terminal of HSIA, Dhaka.

Earlier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with Smart Aviation of Egypt for taking two Dash8 Q400s on lease for a period of 5 years from the later. Manufactured by world-famous Bombardier of Canada, Dash8 Q400 is a 74 seat configuration turboprop in a single class.

With effect from 6 April, per week, Biman will operate 6 flights to Cox’s bazar, 5 to Jessore, 3 to both Rajshahi and Syedpur and 2 to Barisal. Furthermore, it will add up to 25 additional frequencies per week on Chittagong and Sylhet. The total number of seats will grow almost 80% weekly to a considerable 14,010.

Under the programme, Biman will operate more than 120 flights per week within the country which will oversee a huge growth in domestic operations by the flag-carrier after a long recession.

BDST: 1914 HRS, APR 03, 2015