Govt eyes cooperation with AirAsia in airport ground handling

Bangladesh is exploring possible cooperation with AirAsia in ground handling and airport management at the country’s international airports, alongside potential investment in the civil aviation sector.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism confirmed the development in a press release yesterday following a visit by a high-level Bangladeshi delegation to Malaysia on August 17-18.

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M Rashiduzzaman Millat, state minister for civil aviation and tourism, and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, were part of the delegation.

During the visit, the state minister held talks with Tony Fernandes, group CEO of Capital A, on possible cooperation with AirAsia in ground handling, airport management and related services at Bangladesh’s international airports, according to the press release.

The two sides also discussed potential investment and broader cooperation in Bangladesh’s civil aviation sector.

Earlier, the delegation visited AirAsia’s headquarters and operational facilities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2, including Ground Team Red, or GTR, its ground services operation.

AirAsia briefed the delegation on its low-cost aviation model, including fast aircraft turnaround, the use of smart technology and integrated aircraft maintenance services.

The delegation observed automated check-in, self-service baggage drop, dual-door boarding, optimised apron facilities and digital baggage systems used to reduce passenger waiting times, manpower requirements and operating costs.

According to the press release, such measures can allow an aircraft to operate around 6-8 flight sectors a day.

The delegation also visited the newly built 14-line maintenance, repair and overhaul facility of Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), which provides aircraft maintenance services and supports AirAsia’s fleet operations.

On August 18, the state minister met YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man, deputy minister for tourism, arts and culture of Malaysia, in Putrajaya.

They discussed increasing flight frequencies between Bangladesh and Malaysia, facilitating visa processing and pre-verification, promoting cultural exchanges and tourism, and expanding knowledge sharing and capacity building.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in hospitality training and skills development, with a focus on creating more employment opportunities for qualified Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia’s tourism and hospitality sector.