Dhaka, May 21, 2026: The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Bangladesh, H.E. Abdulla Ali Abdulla Alhmoudi, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam, MP, and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday morning.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized strengthening the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the UAE. They also held fruitful discussions on the development of the country's civil aviation and tourism sectors, expansion of investment opportunities, and enhancement of mutual cooperation.
dnata Signals Interest in Third Terminal Operations
A key topic of the meeting was the UAE Ambassador's expression of interest from dnata, a UAE-based aviation services company, in providing ground handling services at the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Ground handling covers a broad range of services required to support an aircraft between landing and takeoff, including baggage loading, passenger check-in assistance, aircraft cleaning, and refueling. The involvement of an experienced international operator like dnata could signal a shift toward greater private-sector participation in Bangladesh's aviation infrastructure.
In response, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat informed the Ambassador about the progress of preparatory activities for the inauguration of the Third Terminal. He said the Government would take the necessary decisions and communicate further developments after the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) activities are completed.
ORAT is a standard industry process used to transition a new airport facility from construction to full operation. It involves rigorous testing of systems, staff training, and simulated operational exercises to ensure the terminal is fully prepared to handle real passenger traffic safely and efficiently.
Bangladesh Reaffirms Commitment to Aviation Infrastructure
Minister Afroza Khanam reaffirmed the Government's commitment to enhancing the quality of services at the airport and strengthening Bangladesh's aviation infrastructure. The Third Terminal, once fully operational, is expected to significantly increase passenger capacity at the country's busiest international gateway, addressing long-standing congestion issues.
Currently, ground handling at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is managed by the state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The prospect of introducing a private international operator aligns with broader government efforts to modernize services and improve operational efficiency at the facility.
Broader Bilateral Cooperation Discussed
Beyond aviation, the meeting touched on expanding investment opportunities and mutual cooperation in tourism. Bangladesh and the UAE share longstanding economic ties, with a large number of Bangladeshi nationals working in the Emirates and contributing significantly to the country's remittance inflows.
The UAE Ambassador also expressed his firm commitment to working closely with the present Government of Bangladesh to further deepen cooperation between the two friendly nations.
"The Government would take the necessary decisions and communicate further developments after the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) activities are completed."
The discussions reflect a growing interest from Gulf-based companies in Bangladesh's infrastructure sector, particularly as the country nears completion of major aviation projects designed to accommodate rising passenger demand.
