British aviation services company Menzies Aviation has announced plans to make a significant investment in Bangladesh, should it be awarded the ground handling licence for the third terminal at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The company intends to invest over $12 million in its first year and create more than 1,000 direct jobs, along with 4,500 indirect roles, primarily employing Bangladeshi workers.
The investment is aimed at ground support equipment, technology, and workforce training, with Menzies also expressing interest in expanding Bangladesh's air cargo sector, particularly in exporting garments. The company emphasizes its operational standards, such as delivering the first baggage swiftly within 10-15 minutes and monitoring baggage handling in real time through automated systems.
Operational and Competitive Strategies
Executives indicated that Menzies would compete on value, safety, and service quality rather than lowest price. The firm is currently participating in an expression-of-interest process with four qualified companies for the licensing, with decisions pending approval from civil aviation authorities.
This new operation has the potential to attract more international airlines to Dhaka by offering reliable and efficient ground handling, which could influence airline ticket prices positively. Menzies, established in 1833, currently operates in over 350 airports worldwide, offering services such as ground handling, cargo, aircraft fueling, and passenger services.
Overall, these developments could significantly enhance Bangladesh's connectivity and competitiveness in global air travel and logistics.
