Aviators are counting hours as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to make soft opening of the exciting third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) Saturday, with the slogan "Connecting Dreams to Reality" towards making Bangladesh an aviation hub in the region and the world.
"We can say that the third terminal is the first milestone to realise Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dream to make Bangladesh an aviation hub," Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman told BSS on Friday.
He said the prime minister will partially open the new scenic terminal and witness the trial of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from the new establishment.
The CAAB chairman said that 90 per cent work of the new terminal has been done for the soft launching and from Saturday, airlines would be able to use the new parking of the terminal.
The third terminal will be fully operational for passengers’ use at the end of next year after completion of systems integration and calibration.
"The new terminal will change the country's image with all world class amenities and passenger services," said the CAAB chief.
He said the third terminal's features with immaculate floor and eye-catching patterns on ceiling with enough natural light are very sophisticated.
"Passengers will appreciate the world class facilities of the new terminal which we never had here before," he added.
The 12 boarding gates with double entry bridges of the third terminal will be operational by next year while the additional 14 boarding bridges are expected to be installed afterwards.
In a message on Friday, the prime minister greeted all concerned involved in the construction of the third terminal for their contribution and tireless work.
She also extended her sincere greetings and congratulations to the people of the country on the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of the terminal, said an official release.
The third terminal project, costing Tk 21,300 crore, commenced on December 28, 2019. The government contributed Tk 5,000 crore, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided the remaining funding.
Covering an area of 542,000 square metres, the third terminal will boast a floor space of 230,000 square metres, housing 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration and 3 VIP immigration desks.
Upon full-fledged operation of the terminal, Dhaka airport's annual passenger and cargo handling capacity is expected to double.
The annual passenger handling capacity of the HSIA would be 24 million (including the two old terminals) which is now only eight million and the airport can handle 500,000 tonnes of cargo each year.
The construction work of 37 new aircraft parking area and two taxiways connecting to the apron area have already been completed.
The third terminal is designed to connect with a multimodal transport system to enable passengers to enter and exit the international airport smoothly.
The new terminal will be connected with the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, underground railway (MRT-5, Kamalapur to airport portion) and also with the Airport Railway Station through an underground tunnel.
Besides, Hajj pilgrims will be able to access the third terminal from Ashkona Hajj Camp through an underground tunnel.
The third terminal is expected to be operated and maintained by a Japanese company under public private partnership.
Ahead of the third terminal's full operation, different foreign airlines are eyeing to start their operation from Dhaka airport, which is expected to play a great role to take the country's aviation sector forward, experts said.
