Published : 08 Sep 2025, 03:07 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:46 PM
The interim government may permit a second international ground handler at Shahjalal International Airport to ensure international-standard passenger and cargo services at the newly opened third terminal, Civil Aviation and Tourism Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has indicated.
Currently, all airports in Bangladesh, including Dhaka airport, rely solely on the state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines for ground handling services.
The state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported on Sunday that Advisor Bashir suggested the announcement could come next week.
"We have already taken a decision regarding ground handling and will make it public soon," he said.
"We want to establish a competitive environment. Our aim is to enhance services based on the capacity of all those involved in ground handling. We want a coordinated approach," he explained.
Bashir added, "We do not want Biman in any way to become uncompetitive, but at the same time we also do not want our passenger services to deteriorate.”
He noted that while Bangladesh may not immediately meet the highest international benchmarks, passenger services at the new terminal must at least reach a “dignified and respectable” standard.
"So to make sure it, we want to bring a competition," he said.
At the same time, final discussions began on Sunday evening between the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and a Japanese consortium concerning the operation of the third terminal.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq is overseeing the early sessions while Bashir is slated to preside over the final day. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is acting as transaction advisor; all stakeholders are participating.
CAAB sources said the policy decision to assign Biman ground-handling responsibilities for two years created unease within the consortium, which has sought broader operational and revenue-sharing rights.
Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is to be signed between Biman and the private sector partner managing the terminal, the BSS said.
According to the PPP authorities, if Biman fails to meet performance indicators during the two-year period, the operator will be allowed to appoint a reputed international ground handling company in addition to Biman.
Ground handling has been a longstanding issue. Amid foreign airlines’ concerns over service quality, the previous Awami League government had indicated that a Japanese company could take the role.
Currently, Biman operates as the sole ground handler across all airports, servicing nearly 40 foreign airlines and generating annual revenue of Tk 10-12 billion.
While officials say service has improved with new equipment and manpower, passengers and airlines still complain of delays, inefficiencies, and occasional theft.
Several foreign carriers have voiced “dissatisfaction”, noting that they often deploy their own staff to maintain standards despite paying Biman's handling fees.
Former CAAB chairman retired air vice marshal M Mafidur Rahman earlier told media that, in a survey conducted by the Dhaka airport authorities, 93 airlines supported having multiple ground handling providers at the third terminal.
Biman officials, however, remain confident as the airline says it handled over 57,000 flights in 2023 and has invested Tk 10 billion in 3,600 new pieces of ground support equipment in the past year while recruitment and training are ongoing, with additional procurement under way.
"Several types of equipment have already been added to Biman's Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Over the next few months, approximately 70 types will be delivered," a Biman spokesperson said, adding that outsourcing ground handling to foreign operators would cause "a substantial loss of national revenue”.
The third terminal constructed at a cost of Tk 213 billion, is primarily funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Its annual passenger handling capacity is expected to reach 24 million, with cargo throughput increasing to 1.2 million tonnes.
The expansive terminal covers 230,300 square metres, with 26 boarding bridges, 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration desks and three VIP immigration desks.
