Bengal Airlift charts growth through aviation, logistics, tourism expansion

Dhaka: Bengal Airlift Limited, a diversified conglomerate with operations spanning aviation, logistics, textiles, warehousing, and international courier services, is preparing for its next phase of growth by strengthening both forward and backward linkages across its businesses. Bahauddin Miah, Group Deputy Managing Director and Chief Business Development Officer at Bengal Airlift Limited, shared this while discussing the company's strategy and outlook for Bangladesh's aviation and logistics sectors with The Bangladesh Monitor at his office recently. Miah said the company is looking to add value-added services to airlines and the travel industry while also improving inbound tourism packages and making outbound travel easier for Bangladeshi travelers through online portals and direct ticket sales. A particular focus on promoting domestic tourism and identifying ecotourism destinations as alternatives to outbound travel will be given, he said, adding that Bengal Airlift may also expand into ground-handling activities. A new joint-venture warehouse is being developed in Keraniganj, near the Dhaka–Mawa Highway and Padma Bridge, marking one of the company's key expansion areas.On aviation, Miah noted that 10 to 20 international airlines currently operate in Bangladesh, a number he expects to grow once the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport becomes fully operational. Modernizing airports in Sylhet, Chattogram, and Cox's Bazar to international standards would make Bangladesh more attractive to foreign carriers, he added, boosting passenger and cargo movement alike. In logistics, Bengal Airlift operates around five freight-forwarding companies, handling approximately 16,000–20,000 tons of air cargo and more than 25,000 TEUs of sea freight annually. Miah identified infrastructure as the greatest challenge holding Bangladesh back, calling for closer collaboration between government and private entrepreneurs to ease bureaucracy and build investor confidence. He also flagged high operating costs, including handling, parking, and fuel charges, as major concerns for airlines considering the market. Airport facilities, baggage and cargo handling, and ground services all require substantial upgrades, Miah said, alongside improved passenger and personnel safety measures. He pointed to greater private-sector participation inside airports, including lounges, duty-free shops, and retail services, as an opportunity following the Third Terminal's development. On digitalization, Miah said the industry has moved beyond dependence on global distribution systems, with IATA's Billing and Settlement Plan improving payment security and online travel agencies gaining ground. He expects artificial intelligence to become more integrated into aviation within the next two to three years, simplifying many aspects of travel. Multimodal cargo solutions, combining air and sea transport, are increasingly optimizing costs, Miah said, while manufacturers from other countries continue eyeing Bangladesh for competitive production costs. Looking ahead five years, Miah concluded Bengal Airlift aims to become a world-class organization for its employees, deliver continuous reliable service to customers, and generate employment while contributing to Bangladesh's economy through taxes and foreign-exchange earnings.