The Japanese consortium tasked with operating Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) Third Terminal has shortlisted four global ground handling heavyweights—UK-headquartered Menzies Aviation, Switzerland’s Swissport, Türkiye’s Çelebi Aviation Holding, and UAE-based dnata—and submitted their names to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) for regulatory and security clearance. Once approved, the consortium will select one operator to serve as the terminal's second passenger ground handling operator alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines, while cargo operations remain exclusively with the national flag carrier.

The shortlisted contenders bring extensive global footprints and specialized capabilities, with Menzies proposing a local investment exceeding $12 million, over 1,000 direct jobs, and an on-site training academy to meet strict service benchmarks, such as delivering the first bags within 10 to 15 minutes.