SM Mizanur Rahman :
As the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines decided to involve foreign skilled private operators in ground handling and cargo services at its three international airports in the country, it is going to appoint consultant to formulate a policy.
In the face of repeated allegations by foreign airlines as well as passengers, Biman has taken decision to engage private operators in ground handling services to free the passengers from harassment.
Biman, in association with the foreign private company, will operate ground handling and cargo services at its three international airports –Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong and Osmani International Airport, Sylhet.
To give appointment of a consultant firm, Biman had invited Request For Proposal (RFP). A total of 18 consultant firms have shown keen interest and submitted their proposals to the Biman authority.
“A total 18 of consultant firms have submitted their proposals. Now we are scrutinising those proposals,” a Biman official told The New Nation yesterday.
He said on the basis of joint venture, the consultant firm would be assigned to formulate a policy in order to operate the ground handling and cargo service
Biman has been providing ground handling facilities to country’s all three international airports since long as the sole ground handler approved by Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Biman earns taka 400 crore only from the HSIA.
Another Biman official said as the Biman does not have skilled staffs and workers for handling luggage untoward incident like tampering of luggage is taking places at the airport frequently.
“Now the ground handling department handles the entire luggage loading and unloading of the incoming and outgoing passengers manually. It is very unfortunate for us as we are still working manually,” he said.
As the number of untoward incident like luggage-missing from the HSIA has taken a serious turn, the incoming passengers feel discomfort when they arrive at the airport, according to a Biman official.
Despite close observation by the members of Armed Police Battalion, Ansars and Civil Aviation and Biman security personnel, incident of mishandling and luggage missing continue to experience a sharp rise due to unskilled Biman staffs and workers, according to sources.
According to Biman sources, equipments and machineries worth Taka 443 crore were purchased in the last five years but Biman failed to ensure smooth operation in ground handling and cargo services contributing luggage missing and mishandling everyday.
“Staff and workers of HSIA and two other international airports handle the procedures and equipment for baggage handling manually. And this old system contributing to the mishandling and missing of luggage,” a Biman official told this reporter.
However, Biman Sramik League general secretary Montasar Rahman said that the national flag carrier has sufficient ground handling equipments and experienced manpower to handle all type of aircraft.
“However, many of our staffs and workers are not trained. If they are trained up we would be able to provide smooth service in ground handling work,” he added.
According to sources, a number of incoming passengers have to leave the airport without their luggage. Many of them lodge complaints at the lost and found section of several airline companies at the airport.
Apart from the passengers, the officials of both foreign and domestic airlines also lodge complaints with the Biman authority and express their resentment over the ground handling system, source added.
The number of airlines has increased over the past five years but neither Biman’s manpower nor its equipment were upgraded.
At present about 27 airline companies including the national flag carrier have been handling some 10,000 passengers at the HSIA everyday. More than 4.0 million local and international passengers are handled annually at the HSIA, Biman sources said.
As the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines decided to involve foreign skilled private operators in ground handling and cargo services at its three international airports in the country, it is going to appoint consultant to formulate a policy.
In the face of repeated allegations by foreign airlines as well as passengers, Biman has taken decision to engage private operators in ground handling services to free the passengers from harassment.
Biman, in association with the foreign private company, will operate ground handling and cargo services at its three international airports –Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong and Osmani International Airport, Sylhet.
To give appointment of a consultant firm, Biman had invited Request For Proposal (RFP). A total of 18 consultant firms have shown keen interest and submitted their proposals to the Biman authority.
“A total 18 of consultant firms have submitted their proposals. Now we are scrutinising those proposals,” a Biman official told The New Nation yesterday.
He said on the basis of joint venture, the consultant firm would be assigned to formulate a policy in order to operate the ground handling and cargo service
Biman has been providing ground handling facilities to country’s all three international airports since long as the sole ground handler approved by Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Biman earns taka 400 crore only from the HSIA.
Another Biman official said as the Biman does not have skilled staffs and workers for handling luggage untoward incident like tampering of luggage is taking places at the airport frequently.
“Now the ground handling department handles the entire luggage loading and unloading of the incoming and outgoing passengers manually. It is very unfortunate for us as we are still working manually,” he said.
As the number of untoward incident like luggage-missing from the HSIA has taken a serious turn, the incoming passengers feel discomfort when they arrive at the airport, according to a Biman official.
Despite close observation by the members of Armed Police Battalion, Ansars and Civil Aviation and Biman security personnel, incident of mishandling and luggage missing continue to experience a sharp rise due to unskilled Biman staffs and workers, according to sources.
According to Biman sources, equipments and machineries worth Taka 443 crore were purchased in the last five years but Biman failed to ensure smooth operation in ground handling and cargo services contributing luggage missing and mishandling everyday.
“Staff and workers of HSIA and two other international airports handle the procedures and equipment for baggage handling manually. And this old system contributing to the mishandling and missing of luggage,” a Biman official told this reporter.
However, Biman Sramik League general secretary Montasar Rahman said that the national flag carrier has sufficient ground handling equipments and experienced manpower to handle all type of aircraft.
“However, many of our staffs and workers are not trained. If they are trained up we would be able to provide smooth service in ground handling work,” he added.
According to sources, a number of incoming passengers have to leave the airport without their luggage. Many of them lodge complaints at the lost and found section of several airline companies at the airport.
Apart from the passengers, the officials of both foreign and domestic airlines also lodge complaints with the Biman authority and express their resentment over the ground handling system, source added.
The number of airlines has increased over the past five years but neither Biman’s manpower nor its equipment were upgraded.
At present about 27 airline companies including the national flag carrier have been handling some 10,000 passengers at the HSIA everyday. More than 4.0 million local and international passengers are handled annually at the HSIA, Biman sources said.
