PM orders faster opening of HSIA Third Terminal

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities to speed up preparations for opening the long-awaited Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), aiming to boost passenger capacity and improve operational efficiency.

The instruction was given at a meeting held at the Cabinet Conference Room of the Secretariat with the Prime Minister in the chair, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told reporters afterwards.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, among others, were also present at the meeting.

Afroza Khanam said the Prime Minister asked officials to take all necessary steps to make the terminal operational as soon as possible.

“He wants to ensure the early opening of the terminal and has given clear directives in this regard,” she said.

Asked about a possible inauguration date, the minister said no specific timeline could be announced yet.

“There will be further discussions and technical evaluations to see how the process can be accelerated. Work is progressing, but we cannot provide a definite date at this moment,” she added.

Responding to queries about the delay despite more than 99 per cent of construction work being completed, she said the hold-up occurred during the interim government’s tenure.

The present administration, she added, is now working to resolve pending issues and bring the facility into operation.

The Third Terminal is expected to significantly expand HSIA’s passenger and cargo handling capacity and strengthen Dhaka’s position as a regional aviation hub.