US-Bangla Airlines to invest $22m in ground service modernization

 
US-Bangla Airlines has planned to invest approximately $22 million in modernising its ground service equipment to improve operational efficiency, flight punctuality and passenger services, as it expands its fleet and international network.

The airline has already opened letters of credit (LCs) worth $12 million for the investment.

Currently operating 25 aircraft, US-Bangla plans to add 21 Boeing 737-series aircraft by December 2027 and introduce around 16 new international destinations, expanding its network beyond the existing 14 destinations across 10 countries.

To support the expansion, the airline plans to add 146 units of ground service equipment (GSE) to its existing fleet of approximately 590 units within the next three to four months.

The new equipment will include pushback tractors, baggage belt loaders, passenger boarding stairs, ground power units, catering trucks and other ramp support vehicles.

The airline is also strengthening its ground support infrastructure as part of plans to establish regional hubs in Chattogram and Sylhet.

As part of its commitment to sustainable aviation, US-Bangla plans to introduce 80 electric vehicles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, in line with the government's Electric Vehicle Industry Development Policy.

Work on the required charging infrastructure is underway.

The airline said the use of electric vehicles in airport ground operations would help reduce dependence on conventional fuels, cut local carbon emissions and support more environmentally sustainable operations.

Electric ground service vehicles and charging facilities are increasingly being adopted at major airports worldwide, including those in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

US-Bangla considers modern ground support facilities, skilled manpower and integrated operational management essential to maintaining punctuality and service standards as its operations expand.