Passengers’ suffering at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) mounts as anarchy and mismanagement are continuing there since the introduction of an eight-hour daily closure of the lone runway for renovations. As a result, thousands of incoming and outgoing passengers are facing serious difficulties every day in and outside the international airport. As the passengers of several flights are getting off at the same time, it has become very difficult for the authorities to manage everything properly.
Earlier the HSIA authorities assured taking of all necessary measures so that runway closure, which came into effect, would not cause disruptions in flight schedules and passenger services. But the fact is that the authorities did not take any effective step to reduce passengers’ sufferings. They have not increased the number of check-in counters, boarding bridges, security check-in counters, baggage loading and unloading bays.
Airport authority will have to make
sure that arrival passengers get their
baggage within the fastest possible time
Besides, other related facilities have also not been ensured to maintain the new schedule. It has been noticed that the incoming passengers after their long journey are feeling tired and suffering from jet lag. And when they need to stand in long queues and carry their luggage themselves due to lack of trolley, the situation becomes terrible. Apart from incoming passengers, the outgoing passengers have become the worst victims of unprofessional attitude of airport officials.
The HSIA runway remains closed every day from 12:00 am to 8:00 am since December 10 to facilitate the construction and expansion of taxiways for the construction works of the third terminal of the airport. Ten days have already elapsed but the authorities have failed to maintain schedule and provide passenger service properly.
The civil aviation and tourism ministry will procure 2,500 new luggage trolleys by February for HSIA to lessen passengers' suffering. Therefore, the passengers will continue facing hurdles to get a trolley to carry their baggage. Authorities concerned must take stern action if anyone found guilty to create an artificial crisis of the trolleys. Besides, deployment of police officers at every immigration counter will also have to be ensured so that passengers do not need to wait in a long queue to pass the airport’s passport control. And airport authority will have to make sure that arrival passengers get their baggage within the fastest possible time.
Some 85 to 90 flights of 28 airlines take off and land at HSIA every day and about 20,000 passengers travel on these flights. Therefore, there is no room for mismanagement at HSIA as it is related to the country’s image. We hope that the passengers will get better service as early as possible.
