The ground-handling service of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is likely to be operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two officials familiar with the development told the FE.
According to a government plan, an international operator should be appointed for this vital operation of the much-talked-about terminal.
A Japanese company earlier showed interest in doing the job, but the authorities are yet to sign any deal.
The government has decided to launch the operation of the terminal by this October.
Ground-handling service covers passenger and baggage handling, cargo and mail handling, whether incoming, outgoing or being transferred between airport terminals and aircraft, and ramp handling.
CAAB chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said, "We've decided to operate the ground-handling services through Biman Bangladesh Airlines for the time being."
He said the agreement with the Japanese company was yet undone, adding: "There's a chance of inking a contract with the Japanese operator within July-August. But no company will be able to start operation in October."
However, it is not final yet who will do the ground-handling job for a longer period.
But some people involved with the Bangladesh Biman told the FE that the national flag carrier might operate for long as they will require equipment, additional manpower and investment.
However, the CAAB chief feels that Biman Bangladesh does not have the capacity to deliver the service permanently.
Apart from this, CAAB officials concerned said the airlines dealing with the HSIA sought multiple ground handlers for the third terminal so they have scope to pick one from them.
Biman Bangladesh managing director and CEO Shafiul Azim told the FE that they were going through formalities with the civil aviation and tourism ministry and the CAAB for the job.
His organisation is taking full preparation for it.
"Ground-handling performance depends on airport facilities. Sufficient boarding bridges, bays, parking areas, luggage belts improve ground handling and the Third Terminal has these facilities."
"Besides, the Biman Bangladesh has state-of-the-art equipment and manpower for ground handling at the Third Terminal," added Mr Azim.
Work on the construction of the terminal is scheduled for completion by April 05 this year and the CAAB will take over its charge the next day, April 06.
Following some trials, this terminal will start its commercial operations by October. Ground handling of the terminal will be required from the first day of its commercial operations.
Biman has already procured required equipment at Tk 10 billion for smooth ground-handling operation. It has imported logistics worth Tk 8.0 billion.
The aviation company has recruited more than 1,000 people who have already been given training in ground handling service.
Different organisations from home and abroad have given certification to the trained people.
Presently, Biman can handle 160 flights per day with the current number of equipment and expert manpower.
In 2023, the airline provided more than 57,000 flights with ground-handling services.
However, Mr Azim claimed the airline's ground-handling capacity would increase definitely, coupled with the new additions that have been commissioned as well as the ones that were on the way.
Biman's service was better than many other airports "called the best in many cases", he asserted.
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