Bismillah Airlines Picks Hactl to Handle First Scheduled Flights to Hong Kong

Dec. 5, 2016
Hactl will provide services including ramp handling, cargo terminal operations, crew transportation and air cargo documentation.

Hong Kong, 5 December 2016 -- Bismillah Airlines of Bangladesh has appointed Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (Hactl) to handle its newly-launched twice-weekly B747F services from Dhaka. The flights are the airline’s first scheduled service to Hong Kong.

Hactl will provide a one-stop-shop service including ramp handling, cargo terminal operations, crew transportation and air cargo documentation. The flights will be marketed in Hong Kong by general sales agent Smart-Trans.

Inbound cargo to Hong Kong is likely to include fruit, seafood, marine products and textile products for which Bangladesh is well known. The country is also developing its manufacturing industries, and the new scheduled freighter services operated by Bismillah Airlines will provide an important trade link with the entire Asian region, by utilizing the widespread network of air cargo destinations accessible via Hactl’s 100+ other airline customers.

Launched in 1998, Bismillah Airlines – part of the Mollah Group of Industries, a well-established industrial and export concern – operates domestic scheduled air services and extensive charter operations to Europe, provides third party line maintenance under its Part 145 Aircraft Maintenance accreditation, and refuelling at Cox’s Bazar domestic airport. It is also self handling at Dhaka Airport where it has a major operation.

Says Mr. M. A. Mannan, Managing Director of Bismillah Airlines: “We are excited to launch this new service to Hong Kong, which is a strategic step in our country’s international trade plans. We are also very happy to be working with a handling agent of the high standing of Hactl, and are confident it will play a key role in the success of our services.”

Hactl Chief Executive Mark Whitehead adds: “The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor is a component of the Belt and Road initiative, and all additional transport links which are introduced to serve it will benefit from the increasing cooperation between the countries it connects. We congratulate Bismillah Airlines on this major and visionary step in its development.”