PM Tarique Orders Expedited Opening of HSIA Third Terminal

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to fast-track the opening of the long-delayed Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) to boost passenger handling capacity and improve operational efficiency.

The directive was issued during a meeting at the Cabinet Conference Room in the Secretariat, chaired by the Prime Minister. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam briefed reporters after the meeting.

Also present were 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.

The minister said: “The Prime Minister has instructed the authorities to take necessary measures so that the Third Terminal can be made operational at the earliest. He is trying to ensure that the terminal is opened soon and has given clear directives in this regard.”

When asked about a possible inauguration date, Afroza Khanam replied: “There will be further discussions and technical assessments to determine how the process can be expedited. Work is underway, but we cannot give a definite date right now.”

Responding to a question about the delay despite over 99 percent physical completion during the previous administration, she said the issues arose during the interim government period. “You could have asked them the question,” she remarked, adding that the current government is now working to resolve outstanding matters and make the facility operational.

The Third Terminal is designed to significantly expand HSIA’s annual passenger and cargo capacity and position Dhaka as a regional aviation hub. It has remained non-operational despite near completion of construction works under the prior administration.