Third terminal opening planned for Dec 16 or early next year: State Minister Millat

Dhaka: State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said that the government decided to open the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka either on 16 December this year or at the beginning of the new year.

He made the announcement this morning (23 April) following a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.

Bangladesh and Japan held a bilateral meeting on 3 April to discuss the operation and maintenance of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, though a final agreement has yet to be reached.

Both sides discussed a revised proposal presented by the Japanese side regarding the operation and maintenance of the third terminal, according to a press release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

Key issues included the airport's embarkation fee, upfront payment, and revenue-sharing arrangements.

State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat urged the Japanese representatives to reconsider Bangladesh's position and submit a revised proposal.

Both sides also discussed holding another meeting soon to move the process forward.

The third terminal has remained non-operational for around one and half years due to disagreements over management and revenue-sharing arrangements between the CAAB and the Japanese consortium.

The consortium includes Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Nippon Koei, and Narita International Airport Corporation.

Industry insiders have criticised the delay, attributing it to policy indecision under the previous interim administration, which left a major national asset idle.

After assuming office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed authorities to resume negotiations with Japan, leading to renewed discussions, including a meeting held on 13 March at the foreign ministry.