CAAB determined to open HSIA’s 3rd terminal by this year

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has reiterated its intention to open Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) eagerly awaited third terminal 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 said at a press conference held at the CAAB headquarters in the capital this afternoon.

The chairman stated that 99 percent of the work on the iconic structure has already been completed. “We’ve to complete some minor works on the terminal building, but we are hopeful that these will be completed by March,” he added.

According to him, formal talks with the Japanese consortium on the terminal’s management will shortly begin, and aircraft are anticipated to start using the new apron area of the terminal within a week.

In order to guarantee timely completion, the CAAB chairman further emphasized the significance of accelerating the remaining work.

He emphasized the importance of the terminal, saying it will improve international connectivity and act as a vital entryway for the nation’s economic development.

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 will have 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration desks, and three VIP immigration desks spread across 230,000 square meters.

The terminal is anticipated to increase HSIA’s yearly passenger and cargo handling capacity once it is fully operational. The airport’s present capacity of 8 million passengers will be increased to 24 million yearly. Additionally, cargo handling capacity will rise dramatically from 500,000 tonnes annually.

Updates on additional airport development projects in Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Jashore, and Saidpur were also given by the CAAB chairman at the meeting. With the exception of Sylhet Airport, all projects are expected to be finished this year, he declared.

Action Against Security Personnel

Responding 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.