Biman to Manage Dhaka Airport’s New Terminal Services
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has secured the role of ground handler for Dhaka Airport’s third terminal, with a two-year term to prove its capabilities under strict performance conditions.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been entrusted with ground handling services at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s newly constructed third terminal for the next two years. This decision follows extended deliberations that initially considered a Japanese firm due to concerns over Biman’s service quality raised by foreign airlines.
The interim government has now provided Biman a chance to prove its capabilities, although with a limited two-year timeframe and specific performance benchmarks. Under a Concession Agreement, Biman will manage both passenger and cargo ground handling, adhering to KPIs set by the Private Sector Partner (PSP). Should Biman fail to meet these benchmarks, the PSP holds the right to bring in an internationally renowned ground handling company as an additional provider.
This arrangement is part of the “Operation and Maintenance of the 3rd Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA)” PPP project, as approved by the chief adviser. Despite previous discussions led by the former CAAB chairman suggesting Japan’s involvement, Biman has been given this crucial role.
Biman’s recent improvements include adding equipment worth Tk1,000 crore to its Ground Support Equipment (GSE) department and handling over 57,000 flights in 2023. With a team of 600 personnel and 4,376 motorised and non-motorised pieces of equipment, Biman aims to enhance its service delivery at the third terminal, further supported by 105 additional equipment arriving by December.
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