The third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) will begin partial operations on December 16, initially handling 2 arrival and 2 departure flights, as Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has instructed all relevant agencies to complete their preparations within the stipulated time.
He gave the instruction at a preparatory meeting on the inauguration and operational launch of the third terminal, held on Saturday in the conference room of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
The meeting discussed various issues related to the terminal's operational launch, including starting operations at the required immigration booths, installing baggage belts and scanners, conducting trial operations, and signing agreements.
Representatives of all relevant stakeholders took part in an open exchange of views, following which the necessary actions were determined.
M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the operational launch of the third terminal was an important commitment of the current government.
“A fruitful meeting was held today with all relevant stakeholders. Detailed discussions were held on the necessary matters concerning the launch of the terminal. The prime minister's directive to ensure that Terminal 3 begins operations within the stipulated time must be given the highest priority,” he said.
“It is the result of everyone's long-standing, tireless efforts that we have reached the stage of launching the terminal today,” he added.
The minister further said all relevant agencies must complete their respective tasks according to their responsibilities within the stipulated time.
If everything is completed according to plan, the third terminal will begin partial operations on December 16, initially handling 2 arrival and 2 departure flights. Necessary activities will continue afterward with the aim of bringing the terminal into full operation.
He urged all relevant agencies to give the highest priority to implementing the decisions taken at the meeting within the stipulated time.
He expressed hope that the target of launching the third terminal on December 16 would be achieved through the coordinated efforts, sincere cooperation and responsible roles of all stakeholders.
Also present at the meeting were Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Dhaka-18 constituency Member of Parliament SM Jahangir Hossain, Prime Minister's Special Assistant (for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism) Gias Uddin, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Dr Nurunnahar Chowdhury, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Ahsan Habib, and representatives of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Japanese consortium.