Full-scale operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal are expected to begin between March and April next year, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Saturday.
The terminal may open in December, but completing its construction alone will not be enough to begin full-scale operations, he said.
Humaiun made the remarks at a policy conclave titled “World-Class Aviation in Bangladesh’s Economic Progress” at The Prestige at United Convention Centre in Kurmitola, Dhaka.
Daily Bonik Barta organized the event, with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat attending as the chief guest and Kobir as the special guest. Policymakers, experts, diplomats, entrepreneurs and representatives of local and international organizations involved in the aviation sector also attended.
The state minister said operational readiness, arrangements for airport relocation and other related activities would have to be completed to international standards before the terminal could become fully operational.
Discussions are ongoing with international partners in this regard, while possibilities for investment are also being explored, he said.
Once fully operational, the third terminal will have the capacity to handle around 12 million passengers annually, Kobir said, adding that this would help Bangladesh begin the process of becoming a regional aviation hub.
However, he said developing a regional aviation hub would require more than the new terminal.
Bangladesh must improve airport infrastructure, strengthen the national airline and develop a world-class ground handling system, Kobir said.
“Bangladesh itself must take the lead in these areas,” he said.
The aircraft fleet also needs to be expanded to increase passenger capacity, open new routes and increase flight frequencies on existing routes, he said.
Whether Bangladesh buys Boeing or Airbus aircraft is a decision for the country itself, Kobir added.
He said Bangladesh expected to reach a “win-win” agreement on the third terminal following ongoing discussions.
Under the agreement, Bangladesh’s share of revenue would be much higher than under the arrangement left by the previous government, he said.
Kobir said the aviation sector, like other sectors, had not received the necessary policy support or an appropriate policy environment due to the absence of democracy over the past 15-16 years.
However, there was no time to dwell on the past, he said, adding that the government would work to bring visible changes to the aviation sector over the next five years.
He also stressed the need to develop maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and establish local aviation training centers to train a new generation of pilots, airline engineers and ground staff.
International-standard training must be ensured so that Bangladesh’s aviation sector can provide world-class services, the state minister said.