DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed authorities concerned to make the Biman Bangladesh Airlines a profitable institution.

She came up with the directives in an inaugural ceremony of Ranga Provat, the fourth Boeing 777-300ER for Biman, on Thursday.

The premier, meanwhile, said, “We hired cargo plane from abroad that is costly, so we need to buy it.”

The aircraft with twin engines and 419 seats including 35 business classes is expected to help improve the airlines’ punctuality in flight operation.

Earlier, the aircraft landed at Dhaka International airport on March 23. Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Civil Aviation Secretary Khurshed Alam and Biman Chief Executive Officer Kevin Steele receive Ranga Provat in the USA.

Apart from the Boeing 777-300ERs, Biman would also procure four Boeing 737-800s and two Boeing 787-8s by 2019.

At present, the national flag carrier has seven aircrafts. Three of them are Boeing 777-300ER named as Akash Pradip, Palki and Arun Alo. The Boeings were added in last two years.

The Airlines signed a contract with the Boeing on 2008 to buy 10 brand new aircrafts.

BDST: 1311 HRS, MAR 27, 2014