Special Correspondent

The construction of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is set to be completed by October this year, with flight operations expected to begin in early 2025, officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have confirmed.

According to CAAB, the third terminal’s construction is in its final stages and is on track to be completed by the October deadline. The Civil Aviation Authority will take over the terminal from the contractor in October, following which the process of scheduling flights from the new terminal will commence early next year.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, uncertainty arose over the timely completion of the terminal. However, the interim government soon restored normalcy to the construction process.

The striking design of the third terminal building has drawn attention in the project area, with finishing touches underway both inside and outside the facility.

Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of CAAB, recently inspected the progress of the third terminal. He directed the officials and workers involved in the project to ensure timely completion with a high standard of work.

“About 98% of the work on the third terminal has already been completed, and overall progress is satisfactory. I have instructed those involved to finish the remaining tasks promptly,” Air Vice Marshal Monjur told UNB. “We expect all work to be completed by October. After taking over the terminal from the contractor, we will prepare to launch flight operations.”

Consultancy firm Nippon Koei has estimated that around 6,000 skilled workers will be needed for the operation, maintenance, and security of the terminal, with nearly 4,000 of them required for security alone. However, CAAB officials said that it might take a few months to recruit the necessary workforce, meaning the terminal may not be fully operational immediately. Initially, CAAB and Biman Bangladesh Airlines will manage the terminal, with full operations likely to begin in February next year.

Once operational, the third terminal will increase Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s passenger handling capacity by an additional 12 million passengers annually. Currently, the airport’s first and second terminals manage between 120 to 130 flights of more than 30 airlines daily, serving around 20,000 passengers. This equates to a capacity of approximately 8 million passengers per year.

The new terminal will add 230,000 square meters of space to the airport, featuring 115 check-in counters, 66 departure and 59 arrival immigration desks, and three VIP immigration desks. It will also include 27 baggage screening machines, 40 security scanners, 12 boarding bridges, 16 carousels, and 11 body scanners.

The construction project, launched by the government in 2017, began on December 28, 2019, with an estimated cost of Tk 21,398 crore. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing Tk 16,141 crore as a loan, with the remaining funds coming from the Bangladesh government. The construction is being carried out by Japan’s Mitsubishi and Fujita and South Korea’s Samsung.

CAAB officials noted that once completed, the terminal will accommodate 37 aircraft at a time and feature two high-speed taxiways to reduce waiting times on the runway. Two buildings have also been constructed for import and export cargo operations. A three-story parking facility for 1,350 vehicles is nearing completion. Initially, 12 out of the 26 boarding bridges will be operational, with 15 self-service check-in counters and 10 automated passport control counters available for departing passengers.

The terminal has been designed to ensure smooth entry and exit for passengers. It will be connected to the elevated expressway, and airport railway station via a tunnel. Hajj pilgrims will also have a dedicated tunnel from the Ashkona Hajj Camp to the third terminal.

Last year, on October 7, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina partially inaugurated the terminal as part of her government’s development efforts ahead of the national elections. At that time, the government had announced that flights would operate from the third terminal by October this year.