Construction on the terminal commenced in December 2019, and a Japanese company has been appointed to manage ground handling operations at the facility.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the long-awaited third terminal of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, marking a significant step towards improving passenger services and expanding global air connectivity.
Arriving at the airport around 10:20 am on Saturday 07/10/2023, Prime Minister Hasina embarked a brief tour of the new terminal. During her visit, she engaged with immigration officers, inspected the pre-boarding security screening area, and took a stroll along the moving walkway to observe an illustration showcasing the full operational potential of the third terminal. Subsequently, she explored a photo gallery and the boarding area before officially opening the terminal.
The new terminal will be seamlessly connected to the elevated expressway, underground railway, and the airport railway station through an underground tunnel, as reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, emphasized the significance of the third terminal, stating, “We can confidently say that the third terminal represents the first milestone in realizing the honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of establishing Bangladesh as an aviation hub.” He mentioned that 90% of the construction work for the soft opening has been completed, allowing airlines to use the new parking bay at the terminal starting from Saturday. However, full operational readiness may take another year, pending system integration and calibration.
For the convenience of Hajj pilgrims, access to the third terminal will be facilitated through an underground tunnel from the Ashkona Hajj Camp. Additionally, the terminal has already been utilized for two Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights to Kathmandu on Mondays and Thursdays.