We publish the rejoinder from Biman Bangladesh Airlines (unedited) along with our stand:
Reference is made to the editorial titled “Biman mulls big investment for ground handling at third terminal” published on 24 January 2024 in your newspaper Bangladesh Post. The contents of which perused and we find that without any verification from Biman Authority, you published certain vague, ambiguous, fabricated and defamatory facts and information against Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier.
It is stated that, in the news report you published the followings, namely:- “…But at present, their ground handling service quality is bittersweet. As all the foreign air carriers take ground handling services from Biman, they have various complaints against it. There are allegations against them of poor quality of service, mismanagement, causing suffering to passengers and many more. As a result, authorities as well as other airlines are unhappy with the ground handling of Biman. In response to the prevailing dissatisfaction, a Japanese company is now likely to take over ground handling responsibility at the third terminal. Meanwhile, a consortium led by Japan Airport Terminal Company Limited submitted its proposal to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Japan will handle the ground handling of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal there is a high-level in-principal agreement from the government… ”
We strongly protest the aforesaid vague, ambiguous, fabricated and defamatory facts and information against Biman Bangladesh Airlines. We assume that in order to tarnishing the image of and damaging business to Biman Bangladesh Airlines the aforesaid news report was published in public.
In reality, 4th January 1972, Biman started its journey by the great leader and father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mojibur Rahman. Biman started its operation with two entities- Airlines and Ground Handler. Over the period, Biman is continuously improving its services in both entities. Despite of infrastructural barrier of the Airport Terminal and Apron area, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is providing passengers, baggage and cargo services at a standard level with safety and security. For ground handling service excellency, Biman Bangladesh Airlines hold international accreditation of IOSA, ISAGO, RA-3, ACC-3, EASA Part 147 and national Civil Aviation accreditation of CAAB Part 145. It is to be noted that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is providing ground handling services to the best of its ability in the existing limitation of congested apron area, shortage of baggage belts, congested terminal area, limited cargo handling space and other facilities of airport. Biman Bangladesh Airlines can utilize its full capabilities of ground handling in 3rd Terminal’s modern facilities.
When Biman Bangladesh Airlines is passing its best momentum, glimpses includes getting prestigious ISAGO accreditation for excellent ground handling services, inauguration of Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka route, Dhaka-Chennai-Dhaka route, reopening of Dhaka-Guangzhou-Dhaka route, successful completion of nation’s biggest Hajj operations, procurement of one Dash8Q400 aircraft, and training of MIAT pilots, launching of LIDO Flight 4D dispatch solution, etc. your aforesaid vague, ambiguous, fabricated and defamatory facts and information creating propaganda against the National Flag Carrier as well as damaging its business.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is 100% owned by the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The management of the airlines is moving forward to be Smart Airlines to fulfil the Government’s vision for Smart Bangladesh. It is stated that some vested quarters promoting the propaganda of privatization to Biman for a long time for their own unlawful gain. You aforesaid information is highly accelerating said propaganda against the Biman Bangladesh Airlines. We strongly protest against these unlawful activities against the National Flag Carrier.
Under the aforesaid circumstances, we demand publishing of our aforesaid Rejoinder and convey strong massage to you not to publish any vague, ambiguous, fabricated, non-verified and defamatory facts and information, news reports against the Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Our Stand As the prospect of outsourcing for ground handling services arises, we initiated an investigation into the rationale behind considering third-party involvement, especially when Biman already offers ground handling services across all airports in the country.
While investigating, we found passengers frequently expressing frustration from landing at the airport to the collection of their baggage from the conveyor belts.
At the same time, while multiple airlines landed at the airport, passengers’ even mount.
When questioned about delays, representatives of the airline pointed to the ground handling authority as the primary source of the problem. It’s important to note that our report is solely based on information gathered from the airport.
Our report was, therefore, neither fabricated, vague nor prepared to defame anyone.
However, we also want to see Biman equipped with all the latest equipment for smooth ground handling and for providing better services to passengers and foreign carriers.