Ground handling at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's brand new third terminal will be contracted out to Japan, says the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
CAAB Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman disclosed this during a dialogue organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) on Saturday at HSIA.
“Japan has shown interest in ground handling and the government has taken a policy decision to give them this job,” the CAAB chief said.
The work would be done through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he added, meaning the Japanese would probably bring in one of their experienced private firms to do the job on the ground.
The brand new Terminal 3 at the HSIA, set to be inaugurated in October, is expected to be a game changer in the country's aviation history.
ATFJB President Tanzim Anwar conducted the programme while General Secretary Ziaul Hoque Sabuj delivered the welcome speech.
Regarding the purchase of airplanes, Mafidur Rahman said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given instructions to increase the fleet of airplanes and asked to increase the cargo capacity. That is why the aircraft will be purchased.
“We have a good relationship with Boeing but recently the issue of Airbus has also come up. If Airbus makes a better offer than Boeing, we will go with them. Biman will choose whoever gives us the best offer,” he said.
In response to a question about making Saidpur airport a regional hub, the CAAB chief said, "We jumped into the work with a master plan and places had also been designated for acquisition. But for this, Tk 5,000 crore is required. Due to the current economic situation, the government could not prioritise it.”
