Officials and employees of General Sales Agents (GSAs) of foreign airlines formed a human chain today (2 November), demanding that the existing GSA appointment law remain unchanged to prevent money laundering, ensure regulatory compliance of foreign carriers, protect local employment, and maintain quality passenger services.
Speakers at the human chain held in front of the Jatiya Press Club, said nearly 50,000 people are directly or indirectly employed in the operations of foreign airlines' GSAs, reports UNB.
They warned that if the GSA appointment law is revoked to favour foreign airlines, thousands of local jobs could be lost and accountability of foreign carriers within Bangladesh's legal framework would weaken, increasing passenger grievances.
Rafiqul Islam, representing GSA officials and employees, said that violating the existing GSA appointment system could result in an annual revenue loss of over Tk100 crore for the government.
He cited past examples when airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Thai Airways, and Air India operated in Bangladesh without GSAs, leading to irregularities, mismanagement, and long ticket queues—particularly affecting Bangladeshi expatriates.
The mandatory GSA system has significantly improved market operations and reduced ticket syndication, he said.
Speakers also said GSAs serve as a critical link between airlines and passengers, providing local insights to foreign headquarters something foreign managers alone cannot achieve.
Since the 1970s, GSAs have been instrumental in expanding international airline operations in Bangladesh, helping launch carriers like Pan Am, United, Lufthansa, and KLM in the country.
After the human chain, memorandums were submitted to the chief adviser, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Ministry of Commerce.