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US-Bangla Airlines has planned an investment of around $22 million to expand its ground handling capacity, improve flight punctuality and ensure international-standard passenger services, with letters of credit (LCs) worth $12 million already opened for the purpose.
Mohammad Kamrul Islam, general manager (public relations) of US-Bangla Airlines, disclosed the information on Thursday morning (November 5).
He said the airline, after completing 12 years of operations, was working to strengthen its position in the international aviation market.
US-Bangla currently operates a fleet of 25 aircraft and plans to add 21 more Boeing 737-series aircraft by December 2027. It is also working to introduce around 16 new international destinations in addition to its existing 14 destinations across 10 countries, he said.
Kamrul said the airline currently manages around 590 pieces of ground service equipment and plans to add another 146 units within the next three to four months.
The new equipment will include aircraft pushback tractors and tow bars, baggage belt loaders, baggage tractors, passenger boarding stairs, ground power units, air start units, catering trucks, water and lavatory service trucks, and other ramp support equipment.
He said flight punctuality and operational efficiency depended not only on aircraft but also on modern ground equipment, skilled manpower and coordinated management.
As part of its plan to establish regional hubs in Chattogram and Sylhet, the airline is also expanding the necessary ground support facilities.
In line with the government’s Electric Vehicle Industry Development Policy, US-Bangla has planned to operate 80 electric vehicles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The installation of charging infrastructure for the vehicles is currently underway, he added.
Kamrul said charging stations for electric ground vehicles had already been installed at major airports in North America, Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, Southeast Asia and other regions.
These include JFK in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto Pearson, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Dubai International, Doha Hamad, Abu Dhabi, Beijing Capital, Tokyo Narita, Singapore Changi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Delhi, Sydney and Johannesburg airports, among others.
He said the introduction of electric vehicles in airport ground operations would help reduce dependence on fuel and local carbon emissions while promoting modern and environmentally friendly operations.
Kamrul also said government initiatives, including the construction of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, airport modernisation, improved connectivity infrastructure and the development of environmentally friendly transport systems, were creating new opportunities for the country’s aviation sector.
“Working in coordination with these government initiatives, we are seeking to elevate Bangladesh’s aviation industry to international standards through private-sector investment and enhanced operational capacity,” he added.