NQ DATE
27 April 1973
AUSTRALIA GIVES FOKKER AIRCRAFT TO BANGjADESH
The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Willesee,
announced today that Australia had given two Fokker Friendship
F27 Series 200 passenger aircraft to Bangladesh for use by the
Bangladesh national airline, Bangladesh Biman.
Senator Willesee said that the total cost of the
aircraft, together with spare parts, was $ 950,000.
The first aircraft was handed over by the Australian
Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr Lloyd Thomson, to representatives
of the Government of Bangladesh at Schipol Airport, The Netherlands,
on Wednesday, and the second aircraft is due to be handed over today.
Senator Willesee said that Australian aid to Bangladesh
* was directed to assist the rebuilding of the country's shattered
economy. A major problem was the re-establishment of an internal
transport system, and the two Fokkers would greatly assist in this.
Senator Willesee said that the staff of Bangladesh Biman
was well experienced in the operation of Fokker Friendship aircraft
and had been operating this type on its internal routes.
The Australian gift would enable the airline to extend its
services to more parts, such as Cox's Bazaar, Thakurgaon
Shamsernagar and Rajshahi.
Bangladesh Biman have named one of the aircraft " City
of Canberra".
Whitlam, Gough
Period of Service: 05/12/1972 - 11/11/1975
Find more information on Whitlam, Gough on the:
Release Date:
27/04/1973
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
2900
Document:
00002900.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Whitlam, Edward Gough
AUSTRALIA GIVES FOKKER AIRCRAFT TO BANGLADESH
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