US-Bangla to invest $22m in ground handling modernisation

US-Bangla Airlines plans to invest around $22 million to modernise its ground handling operations, aiming to improve flight punctuality and passenger services amid an expansion of its fleet and international network.
The airline has already opened letters of credit (LCs) worth $12 million for the investment, according to a press release issued on Thursday.
It currently operates around 590 units of ground service equipment (GSE) and plans to add another 146 units over the next three to four months.
The new equipment will include aircraft pushback tractors, baggage belt loaders, baggage tractors, passenger boarding stairs, ground power units, catering trucks and other ramp support equipment.
The airline also plans to deploy 80 electric vehicles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Work on the necessary charging infrastructure is underway.
US-Bangla currently operates 25 aircraft and plans to add 21 Boeing 737-series aircraft by December 2027. It is also working to introduce around 16 new international destinations, expanding its existing network of 14 destinations across 10 countries.
The airline said the investment would strengthen its operational capacity as it expands its fleet and routes. It is also developing ground support capabilities as part of plans to establish regional hubs in Chattogram and Sylhet.