Bangladesh is swiftly boosting its air cargo infrastructure following India's sudden suspension of third-country transhipment, taking urgent steps to expand capacity, deploy manpower, and reduce costs to ensure uninterrupted export of key goods, particularly readymade garments.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier and sole ground-handling agent, are jointly implementing extensive initiatives to facilitate uninterrupted cargo operations.
"We're (CAAB and Biman) together working to revise the current civil aviation and ground-handling tariffs to make air cargo more cost-effective," CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan told BSS on Friday.
He said the government plans to form a task force, led by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and comprising all stakeholders, to streamline and reduce charges associated with cargo operations.
"We've been instructed at the highest level to ensure air cargo operations remain functional regardless of external disruptions," Bhuiyan said.
"We expect to announce reduced handling charges very soon," he added.
CAAB has already deployed additional manpower at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) cargo terminal. Additionally, Osmani International Airport in Sylhet is set to launch full-scale cargo operations on April 27, with Chattogram to follow shortly. Measures are also underway to expedite customs clearance.
On Friday, the CAAB chairman visited Sylhet airport to inspect preparations and instructed officials to ensure the terminal's readiness by April 27.
"Our existing infrastructure will soon handle two to three times more cargo, ahead of the opening of HSIA's Third Terminal," Bhuiyan said, noting that Sylhet's state-of-the-art cargo terminal boasts significant capacity.
Biman's Managing Director and CEO Dr Shafiqur Rahman echoed the urgency, confirming the recruitment of new cargo personnel to handle the anticipated surge in shipments redirected from India.
Biman's Director of Cargo, Shakil Miraz, said the airline is preparing to provide ground-handling services in Sylhet, where Galistair Aviation's Airbus A330-300 freighter is scheduled to transport 60 tonnes of RMG cargo to Spain on April 27.
"We've already transferred ground-handling equipment from Dhaka to Sylhet and are ready for the inaugural operation," he said, adding that Biman is recruiting 400 additional ground handlers to supplement its current team of over 700 personnel at HSIA.
Last week, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, who has also been given charge of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, met with industry stakeholders to identify viable alternatives and mitigate the fallout for RMG exporters.
BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating a business-friendly ecosystem. "Air cargo infrastructure is a key pillar for trade facilitation and attracting investment," he said.
