Menzies Aviation plans to invest more than $12 million and create more than 1,000 direct jobs in Bangladesh during its first year of operations if it is selected as the second passenger ground handling provider at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's new Third Terminal in Dhaka.

The proposed investment would primarily support ground support equipment, technology and training as Menzies establishes operations at the airport.

Menzies is among several international ground handling companies competing for the contract, alongside Çelebi Aviation, dnata, Swissport and SATS. The selection process is underway as Bangladesh prepares to introduce a second passenger handling provider at the terminal.

Menzies also plans to establish a training academy in Dhaka to prepare local employees for operational and technical positions. The company said nearly its entire workforce in Bangladesh would be recruited locally, with positions including baggage handlers, equipment operators, check-in agents, customer service personnel, dispatchers and management roles.

The company estimates its operations could also support more than 4,500 indirect jobs through the wider economy and supply chain.

John Henderson, Menzies' senior vice president of operations for the Middle East and Africa, said new employees would typically receive up to a month of training before beginning work. Menzies also plans to work with universities, aviation schools and other educational institutions to develop aviation training and career pathways.

The company said its international baggage handling standard calls for the first bag from a widebody aircraft to reach the arrival belt within 10 to 15 minutes and the final bag within 40 minutes. Menzies executives said the Third Terminal's automated infrastructure would allow baggage handling performance to be monitored in real time.

Menzies operates at more than 350 airports in 65 countries.