Desk Reports:
Civil Aviation and Tourism Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin has hinted at including another international company in the ground handling services at the much-awaited third terminal of the capital’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, along with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
It is learnt that there has been a long-standing debate over the airport’s ground handling. The former Awami League government had also hinted that a Japanese company could take over this responsibility.
Foreign airlines have long expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of Biman’s service.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin told news agency BSS on Sunday that the government has already decided to include another international company in the ground handling services at Terminal 3, along with Biman Bangladesh Airlines. It will be officially announced soon.
The advisor said, “We want to create a competitive environment. This will improve the quality of passenger service and make it possible to use the capabilities of all parties involved. We do not want Biman’s competitive position to be damaged. But at the same time, the quality of passenger service should not go down. Therefore, it is important to create competition now.”
The advisor noted that the highest international standards may not be achieved all at once; however, it is necessary to at least ensure dignified and respectful service.
Currently, Biman is the only airline that provides ground handling services at all airports in the country. Biman earns Tk 1,000 to 1,200 crore annually by servicing about 40 foreign airlines. Although Biman is demanding new equipment and increased manpower, passengers and airlines are complaining about delays, inefficiency and sometimes theft.
A survey by Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Authority found that 93 percent of airlines want more than one ground handling service provider at Terminal 3. However, Biman officials are confident. They claim that Biman operated more than 57,000 flights in 2023.
In the last one year, 1,000 crore taka has been invested to buy 3,600 new ground support equipment. More manpower recruitment and training are underway. About 70 types of new equipment will be added soon.
In this context, Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson ABM Rawshan Kabir said that bringing in a foreign company for ground handling will cause a huge loss to national revenue.
Meanwhile, the final phase of three-day talks between the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and a Japanese consortium on the operation of the new terminal began today. The first two days of the talks were chaired by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mustafa Mahmud Siddique, while the concluding day will be chaired by Advisor Bashir. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is participating as a transaction advisor.
Unconfirmed sources say the consortium is unhappy with the two-year ground handling responsibilities for the airline. They are seeking broader management and revenue-sharing opportunities.
Sources said that under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, the private partner will have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Biman. However, if Biman fails to achieve the performance indicators within the stipulated time, the private operator can add an internationally renowned ground handling company along with Biman if it wants.
Incidentally, when the third terminal, built at a cost of 21,300 crore taka with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is commissioned, the passenger capacity will be 24 million per year and the cargo handling capacity will be 1.2 million tons. This modern terminal, with an area of 230,000 square meters, will have 26 boarding bridges, 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration desks and three VIP desks.
