On Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took part in a soft opening ceremony for the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) iconic third Terminal in Dhaka. This event marks a significant transformation in the country’s aviation sector, with the goal of providing top-notch passenger services and ensuring security.

Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the new terminal to a partial extent by unveiling a commemorative plaque at HSIA in the morning, under the banner of “connecting dreams to reality.”

The new terminal will change the country’s image with all world-class amenities and passenger services

During the event, several dignitaries addressed the gathering, including State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Masahiro Komura, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Mokammel Hossain, and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman. Additionally, Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Saito Tetsuo, was also in attendance.

Subsequently, the prime minister conducted a tour of Terminal-3, exploring its various sections while receiving detailed explanations about the facility.

Furthermore, she actively participated in a dress rehearsal of the immigration process, including luggage check-in, and subsequently received her boarding pass. During the event, a video documentary showcasing the features of the third terminal was presented to the audience.

Additionally, another video documentary highlighting the operations and activities of the Civil Aviation Authority was also screened.

Expansion Plans for Dhaka Airport’s Terminal 3

The 12 boarding gates equipped with dual entry bridges in Terminal 3 are scheduled to become operational by the upcoming year, followed by the installation of an additional 14 boarding bridges. Upon the complete activation of Terminal 3, the annual passenger and Cargo Handling Capacity at Dhaka Airport is projected to double.

This ambitious project, with a total budget of Tk21,300 crore, officially commenced on December 28, 2019, with Tk5,000 crore being contributed by the government, and the remaining funding sourced from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Another Milestone Under PM Hasina’s Leadership

The inauguration of the third terminal at Shahjalal International Airport marks another significant achievement under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This eagerly anticipated addition to Bangladesh’s aviation infrastructure is generating considerable excitement. Boasting advanced facilities that encompass a substantial increase in export cargo handling capacity, cutting-edge cold storage units, and a dedicated focus on reducing lead times, this terminal is primed to enhance the airport’s capabilities. Beyond its impact on connectivity, the third terminal holds the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector by facilitating the efficient export of perishable goods, positioning it as a transformative development for both the airport and the nation.

Shahjalal Airport’s third terminal at a glance

• will accommodate up to 12 million passengers annually
• will serve 4 million passengers each year
• Project cost Tk21,300-crore
• covering an area of 542,000 square meters, provides a floor space of 230,000 square meters
• houses 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration desks, and three VIP immigration desks

Glimpse Inside the Terminal

The third terminal at HSIA is a testament to modernity and functionality. The entire scenic terminal building, complete with a range of facilities, is now in plain view. The interior decoration and installation of essential equipment are all but finalized. Rahman emphasized that the completion of 89% of the work has paved the way for the soft launch. Starting from Saturday, airlines will be granted access to the new terminal’s parking lot, a significant milestone in the terminal’s journey towards full operation.

The CAAB chief, Rahman, believes that the third terminal will revolutionize Bangladesh’s global image. He confidently stated that it will offer world-class amenities and passenger services, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s aviation landscape.

3rd terminal to boost agri exports

The upcoming third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is set to bring about a significant transformation in Bangladesh’s agricultural exports. This terminal, once fully operational, will increase the airport’s export cargo handling capacity from 2 lakh tonnes per annum to an impressive 5.47 lakh tonnes, effectively tripling its capabilities.

 Additionally, the introduction of state-of-the-art cold storage facilities, spanning 396.15 square meters with a 4,000-tonne capacity, will ensure the preservation of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and other perishable items. These enhancements will put an end to disruptions in the export of perishable goods due to a lack of sufficient cold storage at the airport. Overall, the third terminal represents a substantial leap forward in facilitating efficient and competitive agricultural exports from Bangladesh.

Aviation industry at a glance

Biman currently serves eight domestic destinations and operates flights to 22 international destinations across 16 countries. Presently, a total of 34 airlines are actively engaged in flight operations to and from Bangladesh.

In addition to Biman, three private airlines—US-Bangla, Novoair, and Air Astra—are presently conducting flight operations from Dhaka airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) reports that several new airlines, such as Fly Baghdad, Ethiopian Airlines, Wizz Air, Ahan Air (Iran), Air Canada, Air France, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and Royal Jordanian Airlines, have expressed their interest in launching flight services to Bangladesh.

To foster international air connectivity, the government has taken proactive measures by initiating bilateral aviation agreements with 16 countries. These countries include Mauritius, South Africa, Czech Republic, Spain, Latvia, Cyprus, Guyana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Brunei, Seychelles, Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Algeria, and Switzerland.

Furthermore, the government has also made significant strides in upgrading existing air agreements with 14 countries, which encompass Canada, Qatar, Luxembourg, Uzbekistan, Morocco, China, Libya, Azerbaijan, Germany, Malaysia, Iraq, Australia, Indonesia, and Cambodia.

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