Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today made soft opening of the iconic third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) here, bringing a revolutionary change to the country’s aviation sector aiming in providing world class passenger services and security. She partially opened the new scenic terminal by unveiling a plaque at the HSIA this morning with the slogan of “connecting dreams to reality.” 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 Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman spoke at the function as Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan Saito Tetsuo was present. The prime minister later went round the terminal 3 and visited its different sections as she was briefed about the facility. She also took part in a dress rehearsal of passing the immigration through checking in her luggage and she was, as well, given boarding pass later. A video documentary on the third terminal was screened at the function. Another video documentary on the activities of the Civil Aviation Authority was also screened. Earlier, on her arrival at the third terminal premises, the premier was received by the state minister of the civil aviation and tourism. A group of children welcomed the head of the government by singing and dancing. The opening of the facility at HSIA is a milestone initiative to turn Bangladesh into a global aviation hub which helps flourish country’s tourism and thus immensely contribute to the national economy. Ahead of the third terminal’s full operation, different foreign airlines eye starting their operation from HSIA in Dhaka, which is expected to play a great role in taking the country’s aviation sector forward, officials familiar with the process said. Ninety percent work of the new terminal has been completed. The third terminal will be fully operational for passengers use at the end of next year after completion of systems integration and calibration. The third terminal features immaculate floor and eye-catching patterns on ceiling with very sophisticated enough natural light. 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. The third terminal project, costing Taka 21,300 crore, commenced on December 28, 2019. The government contributed Taka 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 have a floor space of 230,000 square metres with housing 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration and 3 VIP immigration desks. Upon full-fledged operation of the 3rd 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 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 to the 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 operate and be maintained by a Japanese company under public private partnership.

-BSS.