Dhaka: The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has reaffirmed its commitment to making the much-anticipated third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) operational by the end of this year. “We will open it by the end of this year at any cost,” CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan stated at a press conference held at the CAAB headquarters in the capital this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the chairman mentioned that 99 percent of the work on the iconic structure has already been completed. He noted that while some minor works on the terminal building remain, they are expected to be completed by March. Aircraft are anticipated to begin using the new apron area of the terminal within a week, and formal negotiations with the Japanese consortium regarding the terminal’s management will commence soon.
The CAAB chairman emphasized the importance of expediting the remaining work to ensure timely completion. He highlighted the terminal’s significance as a crucial gateway for the country’s economic growth and its role in enhancing global connectivity.
The third terminal project, costing Taka 21,300 crore, was initiated on December 28, 2019. Of the total funding, the government provided Taka 5,000 crore, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) financed the remainder. The terminal, spanning 230,000 square meters, will feature 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration desks, and three VIP immigration desks.
Once fully operational, the terminal is expected to double HSIA’s annual passenger and cargo handling capacity. The airport will accommodate 24 million passengers annually, up from its current capacity of 8 million. Cargo handling capacity will also see a significant increase from 500,000 tonnes per year.
During the briefing, the CAAB chairman also provided updates on other airport development projects in Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Jashore, and Saidpur, announcing that all projects, except for Sylhet Airport, are scheduled for completion this year.
In response to a query about the recent assault of Bangladeshi-origin Norwegian passenger Sayeed Uddin at HSIA, the CAAB chairman confirmed that two security personnel have been removed from duty. “A report was submitted following a thorough investigation. Based on the findings, the two personnel have been sent back to their respective forces for further action,” he said.