In a significant development for Bangladesh’s aviation sector, the construction of the third terminal at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is slated to be fully completed by April 5, 2024, with the terminal expected to be fully operational by October. This marks a pivotal moment in the expansion and modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will take over the terminal’s responsibilities from the contractor once the construction is completed. This transition will initiate the process of moving operations from the old terminals to the new one, focusing on Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) project. AKM Maksudul Islam, the project director, told UNB that nearly all construction work, including civil engineering tasks, is nearing completion. Any remaining work is expected to be finalized in the first week of April, ensuring a smooth handover to CAAB by April 6. Preparations are underway to fully launch the terminal’s operations in October, including the completion of system integration and calibration tasks, which have successfully passed multiple evaluations. Read more: Terminal 3 will transform Bangladesh's passenger and cargo handling capabilities: EU Ambassador Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of CAAB, informed UNB that the third terminal is almost ready for flight operations and is expected to be fully functional by October. The completion of this terminal will significantly increase Dhaka airport’s capacity, facilitating the growth of domestic and international airlines’ operations. This expansion is anticipated to improve passenger amenities, increase revenue, and enhance the airport’s overall efficiency.

Two flights carrying passengers from two Middle-Eastern countries landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport of Kolkata in India instead of Dhaka due to dense fog last night. The flights started landing in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka after 9:30 am this morning (January 14, 2024) when invisibility improved, said Group Captain Mohammad Kamrul Islam, executive director of the HSIA. Read more: Flyers on Indian flight stuck in Dhaka Airport for over 12 hours. Here’s why On January 4, thirteen flights that failed to land at Dhaka airport were diverted to Kolkata, Hyderabad, Sylhet, and Chattogram international airports.

Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, has said the opening of Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal will transform Bangladesh's passenger and cargo handling capabilities.  "Spectacular opening by Hon. PM Hasina of the impressive new airport terminal in Dhaka — which will transform Bangladesh passenger and cargo capabilities, including the potential to handle 24 million passengers per year," the EU ambassador wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).  Read: Aligning labour law with international standards ‘essential’ to consider GSP+, EU Ambassador says He was seen taking a selfie with Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Jeremy Bruer, at the new terminal which he shared from his social media account. Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Jan Janowski, also shared his experience of visiting Terminal 3 which had its soft-opening today (October 07, 2023).  "Bangladesh aviation taking off soon. Stunned by the beauty of the new Terminal 3 of HSIA, Dhaka — A lot of German technology behind the scenes, can't wait for the 1st Airbus 380 landing here," he wrote. Read: Honorary Consul of Malta Shoeb Chowdhury calls on EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today soft-opened Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and said that either Bangladesh's resort town Cox’s Bazar or Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka may soon become an international air transportation hub due to Bangladesh’s geographical location.

Japan has said it will continue to make concrete efforts, like Terminal 3 of Dhaka airport, that contribute to strengthening connectivity for the sake of "peace, stability and prosperity" of the region and the international community. “Located at the nexus of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, Bangladesh is an important partner in realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Komura Masahiro, said today (October 07, 2023).  Read: ‘Boycotting election isn’t good for anyone’: Info minister tells Japanese ambassador He was speaking at a soft opening ceremony of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) Terminal 3 with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the chief guest.  State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Md. Mahbub Ali, and other ministers and officials were present at the ceremony.  Japan’s Vice-Minister for International Affairs of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Uehara Atsushi; and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, also attended the ceremony.   At the ceremony, the Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs said: “I would like to congratulate the soft-opening of HSIA Terminal 3. Japan and Bangladesh have had a very close relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations, as symbolized by the flags of both countries.” Read: Bangladesh, Japan and NE India urged to form trilateral platform for regional value chain In April this year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina launched a "Strategic Partnership" when she visited Japan.  "The new bilateral relations are progressing in a variety of areas, including defense equipment cooperation and joint research toward a possible EPA," he said.  In recent years, under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt Initiative, Japan has been actively engaged in the development of major infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity, including Dhaka Metro Rail, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, and Dhaka Airport’s Terminal 3. Read: Bangladesh needs multiple choices for better bargaining in foreign financial proposals: Japanese expert In September this year, a direct flight connecting Dhaka and Tokyo, which both countries had been longing for, was also launched. "It is expected to further invigorate human traffic and contribute to further expansion of investment by Japanese companies," he said. 

Preparations are underway for the inauguration of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, or Terminal 3 - one of the most exciting and potentially transformative projects undertaken by the Awami League-led governments across three electoral cycles.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the first phase of the project on October 7. However, the full utilisation of the terminal by passengers is expected at the end of 2024. This is due to the necessary calibration and preparation of the equipment used in terminal operations, which is projected to take up most of 2024. The chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rahman,confirmed to UNB that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially open the terminal with the usual fanfare associated with the inauguration of megaprojects under the present dispensation, on October 7. Govt will decide on ground handling at Dhaka airport’s third terminal and Biman is ready: CEO “The preparation for the inauguration is in its final stages. Structure of the terminal is ready, and now equipment is being installed,” said AVM Mofidur. He further stated that airlines will be able to use the new parking apron and taxiway . The old terminal's apron can accommodate 29 aircraft, but after the soft opening, the third terminal's apron will be able to accommodate an additional 8 to 10 aircraft. What sets Terminal 3 apart The CAAB chairman said 37 aircraft can be parked at a time once the terminal – with an area of 5,42,000 square meters – is fully opened. There will be 26 boarding bridges. Of these, 12 boarding bridges will be opened in October. There will be a total of 115 check-in counters (including 15 self-service check-in counters) for exits, according to CAAB. In addition, there will be 10 self-service passport control counters for immigration, along with 66 external immigration counters. For arriving passengers, there will be 5 self-service check-in counters, making a total of 59 counters. Currently, the existing terminal has 8 baggage belts, while the Third Terminal will have 16 baggage belts for arriving passengers. There will be separate belts for oversized luggage. Soft opening of Dhaka airport’s 3rd terminal on Oct 7: CAAB Chief The chairman mentioned that a multilevel car parking building with 1,350 parking spaces will be constructed for car parking at Terminal 3. Below the new terminal, there will be a baggage handling system, and on the second floor, there will be an arrival lounge, a cantina, and boarding bridges, according to CAAB. Additionally, there will be a Duty-Free shop and an arrival lounge nearby. The total area of the third terminal building is going to be 230,000 square metres, with a capacity of handling 12 million passengers annually. The baggage handling area is 54,000 square metres, and the fire-fighting station with equipment covers 4,000 square metres. The import cargo terminal is 27,000 square metres, and the export cargo terminal is 36,000 square metres. The connecting taxiway is 66,500 square metres. 12 boarding bridges will be operational when Dhaka Airport’s 3rd Terminal partially opens this Oct: CAAB There are two rapid exit taxiways, covering 41,500 square metres. Furthermore, the airport will have associated road connections, an elevated expressway, and the necessary equipment (automated warehouses) for passenger and cargo handling. All these activities are currently underway. Additionally, there will be a hall and six channels for customs for passengers arriving from other countries. VIP services have been arranged for VIP passengers. In the southern part of the Third Terminal, there is a 3,650-square-metre area dedicated to VIP and VIP passenger services. A large lounge has been constructed for transit passengers in the new terminal. It will serve 40,00,000 passengers annually. However, there will be no direct connection with the old two terminals for now. A corridor will be constructed in the second phase of the project. According to the CAAB chairman, 120–130 aircraft from over 30 airlines takeoff and land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's first and second terminals every day. About 20,000 passengers use the airport's two terminals every day. As a result, the HSIA currently has the capacity to serve about 80 lakh passengers annually. Fakhrul returns from Singapore, complains of harassment at airport With the opening of the third terminal, it will be possible to serve another 12 million passengers, he said. Once Terminal 3 , passengers will be able to avail the following facilities: Self-immigration facilities The new terminal building will feature a total of 10 automatic passport control stations or e-gates at the departure area. This innovative system allows passengers to complete the immigration process independently, eliminating the need to interact with immigration authorities. Nevertheless, for those passengers who prefer not to handle immigration procedures independently, there will be 56 exit immigration counters staffed by immigration officials ready to assist them. Additionally, there will be 5 e-gates available for passengers arriving in Bangladesh from other countries, and 54 arrival immigration counters to ensure a smooth entry process. State-of-the-art scanning systems for security Currently, passengers undergo manual security checks at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. However, this practice is set to change. In the future, security checks will be entirely automated, eliminating the need for physical contact during the screening process right up until the passengers aboard the plane. As a part of this streamlined procedure, passengers will be required to raise both hands inside the body scanner machine. This advancement is expected to result in significant time savings for both passengers and airport security personnel. Less commuting hassles for passengers Once the terminal officially opens, passengers will experience seamless travel transitions to and from the airport. This is attributed to the on-going construction of underground tunnels and flyovers in conjunction with the third terminal building, which will significantly enhance travel convenience.  Passengers will have effortless access to ground transportation, including convenient connections to the metro rail and Dhaka Elevated Expressway, facilitating swift departures and arrivals. Moreover, the terminal will be equipped with a state-of-the-art international-quality firefighting system to ensure passenger safety. GP customers to enjoy roaming services at Dhaka airport Other facilities include: To cater to passengers' needs during transit, a range of amenities is being introduced. These include movie lounges and food courts designed to enhance the passenger experience. Additionally, airline lounges and dayrooms will be available for travellers seeking comfort and relaxation. Furthermore, 14 duty-free shops will be strategically placed throughout the terminal, offering passengers opportunities for both leisurely strolls and shopping. Passengers can expect to find an array of amenities such as food courts, food galleries, Wi-Fi connectivity, and mobile charging facilities, both within and outside the terminal. To accommodate passengers' religious needs, separate prayer areas will be designated for men and women. The new terminal will also feature a dedicated "meeters and greeters plaza" to facilitate the welcoming of visitors. The lounge will provide a dedicated breastfeeding booth, diaper-changing facilities, and a spacious family bathroom. Additionally, a children's play area equipped with sleeper swings will be available for young travellers to enjoy. Passengers at the new terminal will have access to 24-hour medical care, including health inspection services staffed by doctors, first-aid rooms for immediate medical assistance, testing centres, and isolation areas for various diseases, including COVID-19. Back in 2017, the government initiated the Terminal 3 project for Dhaka’s main airport. However, work on the construction of the terminal commenced on December 28, 2019. This ambitious and visionary project has been estimated to cost approximately Tk 21,398 crore. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, is providing Tk 16,141 crore in the form of a loan to support the project, while the Government of Bangladesh is coughing up the remaining Tk 5,257 crore. The highly coveted contract for construction of HSIA Terminal 3 was won by a consortium made up of 3 of Asia’s leading firms in the sector: Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, as well as Fujita Corporation, and South Korean behemoth Samsung C&T Corporation ("Construction & Trading Corporation”). Where was the CCTV camera? Investigators wonder about missing gold at Dhaka Airport customs

The third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport may be inaugurated by September or October 2023, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali. Already 34.6 % work of the terminal has been completed which is 1.9% more than the expected target. According to the authorities concerned, some 32.7% work was scheduled to finish on April 8, 2022, he said. The minister said this  while talking to reporters after visiting the ongoing work of the third terminal on Monday. Once the terminal opens for passengers, it will be possible to overcome the infrastructural limitations in passenger service, said Mahbub. READ: HSIA Expansion: Aviation Consortium Dhaka set to get the job Besides, there is a need to coordinate the work of constructing a tunnel for entering into the third terminal and an elevated expressway and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed to expand the tunnel to Ashkona Hajj camp, he said. The work of the elevated expressway will begin in a few days, he added. Replying to a question on whether the project cost may increase, Mahbub said “We’ll look into it and what is applicable for the project will be considered.” Replying to a question about the plane fare for different countries including the Middle East, the minister said “We sat with the airline authorities before and the situation is improving gradually. I hope it will decrease within one month.” Asked about the preparation for hajj pilgrims, Mahbub said, "We will try our best to keep plane fare at tolerable levels." Meanwhile, the construction work of two additional high speed taxiways at the airport will be completed by the first week of May, said Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman.

An Indian man was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Sunday night when he was trying to fly to London with a fake UK visa.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has presented some books written by him for the Bangabandhu Corner at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

At least 31 workers of the construction project of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) have tested positive for coronavirus.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday reached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a three-day official visit to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020.