en.Wedoany.com Reported - The bidding for ground handling service operations at Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has attracted five leading global airport service providers. This marks the first time since the country's independence that internationally renowned airport service companies have sought to enter its ground handling market, reflecting Bangladesh's growing appeal as a regional aviation hub.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) previously decided to designate a second passenger ground handling operator at Terminal 3. A senior CAAB official involved in the negotiations confirmed to BSS that the second operator will handle passenger-related ground services, while cargo services at the new terminal will remain exclusively operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The official stated that the second operator's business is limited to passenger and ground services, with cargo services fully under Biman's responsibility.
The bidding companies include: Menzies Aviation (UK), Swissport International Ltd. (Switzerland), Çelebi Aviation Holding (Turkey), dnata (UAE, part of the Emirates Group), and SATS Ltd. (Singapore). These companies are globally recognized airport service providers.
Former CAAB Chairman, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Muhammad Mafidur Rahman, stated that Bangladesh rarely attracts such widespread interest from international airlines simultaneously, highlighting the country's growing strategic importance in South Asian aviation. In recent months, ambassadors from the UK, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UAE have respectively discussed their companies' interests with Bangladesh's aviation leadership. Rahman noted that this diplomatic engagement reflects the commercial significance of Bangladesh's expanding aviation market and international investors' confidence in the country's long-term growth prospects.
The introduction of competition in passenger ground services at Terminal 3 represents a major policy shift after decades of Biman's exclusive operation. Ground handling includes aircraft maintenance, baggage management, passenger check-in, ramp operations, and aircraft turnaround services, directly impacting operational efficiency and passenger experience. Foreign airlines have long called for increased competition to improve service quality, reduce turnaround times, and align with international standards.
Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director of Novoair and Secretary General of the Airlines Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB), welcomed the decision. He believed that relevant issues should be carefully considered but expressed satisfaction that competition has at least been introduced for passenger services. Renowned aviation entrepreneur and Chairman of TAS Aviation Group, K M Mozibul Hoque, also viewed the global interest as a positive sign, suggesting that both cargo and ground handling operations should be managed by operators with international experience. He recommended that ownership could remain with the government, but operations should be entrusted to proven global companies to enhance efficiency, safety, compliance, and service quality, while transferring knowledge to local staff.
While welcoming competition in passenger services, industry stakeholders questioned Biman's retention of exclusive cargo operator status at Terminal 3's automated cargo village. Mofizur Rahman stated that there are sufficient questions about whether Biman's cargo services meet international standards, along with serious concerns about capacity and reliability. Former CAAB Chairman Mafidur Rahman believed that international expertise could help maximize the benefits of the terminal's advanced cargo systems. He noted that the installed equipment is state-of-the-art and requires experienced operators, suggesting it would be better if an experienced international operator initially partnered with Biman for knowledge transfer before full localization. However, he remained optimistic that the aviation industry would gain new vitality as long as professional talent is utilized appropriately.
Boshra Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, told BSS that the company has procured the necessary ground handling equipment and recruited over 1,000 additional staff for Terminal 3, and is ready to operate both passenger and cargo services. She also revealed that Biman is cooperating with a Japanese consortium on cargo service arrangements and has not yet received any official notification regarding the designation of a second passenger ground handler. The Japanese consortium, comprising Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Nippon Koei, and Narita International Airport Corporation, will assume operational and maintenance responsibilities for HSIA Terminal 3 after signing a final agreement.
