The Biman Bangladesh Airlines authorities have said they are determined to hold on to the responsibility for ground handling services at the third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
Biman officials said they now have experienced staff members and modern equipment for operating ground handling services to international standards at the third terminal. The airline recently received its certificate of registration and accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for its outstanding ground handling services.
The airline underwent a comprehensive IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) at Dhaka airport, which acknowledged Biman's commitment to maintaining high standards and ensuring the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and cargo.
However, Biman observed that a section of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is in favour of using a foreign company for ground handling services at the third terminal. This would cause the airline financial losses of more than a hundred crores per year.
Over the past two years, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman has on several occasions said that he would prefer a foreign company for ground handling services at the newly-constructed third terminal due to a lack of trust in Biman’s ability.
On May 13, the CAAB Chairman told Dhaka Tribune: “Biman may face financial losses, but we must maintain international standards."
When asked about arranging training for Biman officials, the CAAB chairman declined to comment.
Highly placed sources of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry said the government is yet to take a decision on the ground handling services at the third terminal.
A top ministry official said: “The launch of the third terminal is a great opportunity for Biman to show its capabilities. They should grab it both hands, and the government will make the final decision.”
On August 7, the Biman Bangladesh Airlines Labour Union (CBA) sent a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry urging to take effective steps to figure out the ground handling scenario.
In the letter, the CBA blamed CAAB for the infrastructural weakness of terminal 1 and 2 of the Dhaka airport.
It further said a group has been criticizing Biman activities for a long time and works for foreign companies, but the reality is that quality ground handling services require concerted efforts of various organizations, including Biman, CAAB, Customs, Immigrations, and others at the airport.
Even when there is a failure for which other parties are responsible, Biman is the only organization that is blamed, the letter added.
On August 8, the CAAB chairman told the media that CAAB and the government have not yet signed an agreement with any Japanese company regarding the ground handling work at the third terminal.
Last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Biman has improved a lot in terms of ground handling and she also directed Biman to train more skilled manpower.
After taking necessary measures, Biman is now capable of handling ground services, said Biman Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim recently.
Ground handling and cargo services is the single highest source of revenue for Biman, earning Tk1,200 crore to Tk1500 crore every year.
