US-Bangla to invest $22 million in ground service modernization
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US-Bangla Airlines plans to invest approximately $22 million to expand its ground operations capacity alongside its aircraft fleet expansion. The investment aims to ensure flight punctuality and improve passenger service quality. The airline has already opened letters of credit (LCs) worth $12 million for this purpose. It also plans to add 146 new pieces of ground service equipment and operate 80 electric vehicles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The airline disclosed the information in a press release on Thursday.
According to the press release, US-Bangla Airlines currently manages approximately 590 pieces of ground service equipment. Another 146 new pieces of equipment will be added within the next three to four months. These include aircraft pushback and towing tractors, baggage belt loaders, baggage tractors, passenger boarding stairs, ground power units, air start units, catering trucks, water service trucks and lavatory service trucks, among other equipment.
The airline said that a flight's punctuality and operational efficiency do not depend solely on the aircraft. Modern ground equipment, skilled personnel and coordinated management are also essential. The initiative to expand ground operations capacity has been taken in line with the planned increase in the aircraft fleet. Necessary ground support facilities are also being expanded as part of plans to establish regional hubs in Chattogram and Sylhet.
According to the press release, US-Bangla Airlines currently has 25 aircraft in its fleet. The airline plans to add another 21 Boeing 737 series aircraft by December 2027. It currently operates flights to 14 international destinations across 10 countries. The airline is also working to add approximately 16 new international destinations to its network.
The airline also plans to introduce environmentally friendly vehicles in its ground operations. In line with the government's Electric Vehicle Industry Development Policy, it has taken an initiative to operate 80 electric vehicles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Work is underway to establish charging infrastructure for these vehicles.
The press release said charging stations for electric vehicles used in ground operations have already been installed at several international airports around the world. These include John F. Kennedy (JFK), Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago airports in the United States; Amsterdam, Frankfurt and London's Heathrow airports in Europe; and Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi airports in the Middle East. Similar infrastructure has also been developed at various airports across Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America.
According to US-Bangla, ensuring the necessary charging infrastructure will create opportunities to use electric vehicles in various ground operations at the airport. This will reduce dependence on fuel and help lower carbon emissions at the local level. At the same time, airport ground operations will become more modern and environmentally friendly.
The press release further said that various government initiatives to construct the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, modernize airports, improve connectivity infrastructure and develop environmentally friendly transportation systems are creating new opportunities for the country's aviation sector. US-Bangla Airlines is working to bring Bangladesh's aviation sector up to international standards by increasing investment and operational capacity in coordination with these initiatives.
