At a roundtable today, stakeholders asked the government to give operational efficiency first priority and implement international-standard services for the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), which is anticipated to open next year.
To exploit the potential of the recently constructed terminal, they emphasised the significance of increasing openness, encouraging competition in ground handling services, and regularly reviewing airport operations.
The Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) hosted the conversation, which was themed “Third Terminal of Shahjalal International Airport: Opportunities and Challenges,” at the Le Méridien Dhaka.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser AF Hassan Ariff attended it as the chief guest, while Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M. Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan was present as the special guest.
General Secretary Baten Biplob gave the welcome speech, and ATJFB President Md. Tanzim Anwar presided over the conversation.
Concerns regarding delays, excessive expenses, and inefficiencies in Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ ground handling services were voiced by representatives of foreign airlines who operate at HSIA.
Adviser Ariff assured participants that the government is assessing Biman’s capacity for ground handling. “If deficiencies are identified, alternative arrangements will be made,” he added.He said that the third terminal, built at an estimated cost of Tk 23,000 crore, is expected to become operational within the next year.
“Allegations of corruption will be investigated, and we are committed to reforms,” Ariff said, highlighting previous inefficiencies.
Additionally, he emphasised that measures are being taken to resolve consumer grievances regarding ticketing and service quality by means of open supervision.
The CAAB Chairman reiterated their commitment to overcoming obstacles in order to ensure the terminal runs well.
“The third terminal is a national aspiration. We are working diligently to enhance facilities and operational efficiency,” he said.
Secretary General of the Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) and Managing Director of Novoair Mofizur Rahman delivered the keynote address. He called for an open tendering process for ground handling services.
“Allowing multiple companies to compete will break the existing monopoly, enhance service quality, and benefit the nation,” Rahman emphasized.
Notable participants in the roundtable included Imran Asif, CEO of Air Astra; Suhed Ahmed Chowdhury, Cargo Manager of Qatar Airways; Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor, Bangladesh Monitor; Group Captain Kamrul Islam, Executive Director of HSIA; and Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mahbub Khan, Member (Operations and Planning) of CAAB.
The importance of reforms to meet international standards for the third terminal’s success was emphasised by representatives from various international airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Thai Airways, Air India, Turkish Airlines, and Cathy Pacific Airlines, as well as tour operators and online travel agencies.
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