Dubai resident Sajidur Rahman called this reporter and asked that my flight be on October 8. Do I go to the third terminal? Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina performed the soft opening of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday (October 7) morning. Millions of expatriates living in the country and abroad, like Sajidur, saw the opening ceremony of the grand event. Now their question is when will they be able to use the third terminal of Shahjalal. They look forward to enjoying the advanced technology and international quality passenger service that the authorities promise.
Despite the soft opening, lakhs of expatriates, including Sajidur Rahman and passengers traveling by air, will have to wait until December 2024 to use the third terminal of the country’s main airport. However, the authorities are trying to complete the work before October 2024.
Advantages of the Soft Opening:
Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal. Mofidur Rahman told Bangla Tribune that using an aircraft parking apron, two rapid exit taxiways, and a connecting taxiway started with the inauguration. Currently, 21 aircraft can be parked simultaneously in the parking bay. Terminal III has 37 aircraft parking bays on its parking apron.
Mofidur Rahman said our Biman Bangladesh Airline has 21 aircraft, and private airline US-Bangla has 20. Apart from this, there are NovoAir Air Astra aircraft. Not so long ago, domestic airlines could not park their aircraft. Apart from this, the airlines that come from abroad also have to give space. Managing 21 parking bays and flight management was complex.
He said, “We were not able to accommodate the airlines that requested to extend the flights.” Permitting was impossible if a new airline wanted to start a flight. Now, 37 more parking bays have been added to 21. Total 58 parking bays. Outside of this, there are boarding bridges. Now, increasing the number of flights, new approvals can be given. As a result, the flight capacity of the airport will increase.
Mofidur Rahman also said there is a need for quick aircraft arrival from the runway to the terminal if the flights increase. For this, two rapid exit taxiways connecting taxiways have been constructed. These can also be used from now on. As a result, the aircraft will move quickly from the runway to the apron or boarding bridge. As a result, runway usage increases.
When Will Passengers Use the Third Terminal?
The main infrastructure work of Drishti Nandan Terminal is almost complete. The check-in counter, boarding bridge, toilet, and elevator are installed inside the terminal. The elevator is running; the lights are on. Still, passengers need help to use this terminal. That means no flights will be operated using this terminal right now.
When will passengers use the terminal? Why does it take so long?
In response to these questions, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Vice Marshal Md. Mofidur Rahman told Bangla Tribune that the work on the third terminal project started on December 29, 2019. So far, 90 percent of the work has been completed. Most of the equipment has been installed; others are in progress. Infrastructure work has been completed. We must take the following steps to make the terminal building usable 24 hours daily.
He said that the performance test of the installed equipment should be done. We have to ensure that all the equipment is suitable for uninterrupted use. This process is called Operation Radiance and Airport Transportation System. We have to wait till the end of 2024 to complete this process. But our effort is to finish the work quickly. This terminal should be made usable for passengers in October next year.
