The Japanese consortium set to operate Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third Terminal has named four global ground handlers for CAAB clearance before selecting one as the terminal’s second passenger ground handling operator.
“They are UK-headquartered Menzies Aviation, Switzerland’s Swissport, Türkiye’s Çelebi Aviation Holding and UAE-based dnata, part of the Emirates Group,” Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan told BSS here recently.
The names have been submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), which will examine whether any of the companies face security, regulatory or other concerns that could prevent them from operating at Bangladesh’s principal international airport.
Khan said once the authority gives clearance, the Japanese consortium will select one company from among the eligible operators.
CAAB will subsequently issue the required ground handling licence in the name of the selected operator, paving the way for preparations to begin at the Third Terminal.
The move marks a major shift in Bangladesh’s aviation sector as globally established service providers compete to enter the country’s passenger ground handling market.
Under the proposed arrangement, the selected international operator will work alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines in passenger ground handling at the Third Terminal, while cargo handling will remain exclusively under the national flag carrier.
Ground handling covers aircraft servicing, baggage management, passenger check-in, ramp operations and aircraft turnaround activities, all of which directly affect service quality, punctuality and passenger experience.
Industry analysts said the decision therefore carries significance beyond appointing another service provider, as Bangladesh moves from construction of the Third Terminal towards delivering international-standard airport operations.
For passengers, the most visible tests will be baggage delivery, check-in efficiency, passenger assistance and disruption management.
For airlines, the critical indicators will include safe aircraft handling, efficient turnaround, reliable ground support equipment and the ability to maintain schedules.
The four contenders bring different combinations of global scale, operating experience and technical capability.
A comparative industry profile reviewed by BSS shows Menzies operating at 347 airports across 65 countries, Swissport at around 310 airports across approximately 44 to 49 countries, dnata at 146 airports or locations in 35 countries and Çelebi at more than 60 airports across five countries.
The same comparison lists more than 65,000 employees at Menzies, around 43,000 at Swissport, over 55,000 at dnata and roughly 9,000 at Çelebi.
It also shows Menzies handling about 5.3 million flights annually, compared to around four million for Swissport and more than 888,000 aircraft turns for dnata.
Swissport, however, is shown handling about 6.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, ahead of dnata’s 3.2 million tonnes and Menzies’ 2.4 million tonnes, indicating that the companies hold strengths in different operational areas.
Industry observers said the key issue for Dhaka will be how global experience is translated into measurable service improvements at HSIA.
Menzies’ Bangladesh proposal has drawn attention because it includes a detailed local investment, employment and workforce-development plan.
The UK-headquartered company has proposed investing more than US$12 million in its first year if selected, covering ground support equipment, aviation technology, workforce development and operational capability.
Its plan envisages more than 1,000 direct jobs, with around 99 percent of the workforce expected to be Bangladeshi, alongside an estimated 4,500 indirect employment opportunities.
Menzies has also proposed establishing a physical training academy within the airport precinct and collaborating with Bangladeshi universities and aviation institutions to create professional training, internship and career pathways.
CAAB has been moving towards measurable service standards, with industry discussions focusing on delivery of the first bags within around 15 minutes and completion within approximately 40 minutes.
