Third terminal opening date yet to be finalized: Bashir

"An agreement needs to be signed with an operator to manage the third terminal, and the operator will need a few months for preparations after that," he told reporters at a press conference organized by the ministry at the Secretariat this afternoon on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

Responding to a question on whether negotiations with a Japanese consortium, considered the leading candidate for the management contract, Aviation Secretary Nasrin Jahan said talks are still ongoing. "Negotiations with them have not yet been finished," she said.

The third terminal is highlighted as a landmark infrastructure project that would transform HSIA into a regional aviation hub.

Constructed at a cost of over Taka 21,000 crore with Japanese assistance, the state-of-the-art terminal is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, featuring advanced facilities including 26 boarding bridges, automated baggage handling, and improved passenger comfort.

While the physical construction has largely been completed, officials said operational readiness requires finalizing agreements with an experienced international operator to ensure world-class service standards, digitized operations, and safety compliance. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) expressed confidence that once operational hurdles are resolved, the new terminal will significantly ease passenger congestion, boost global connectivity, and mark a new era for the country's aviation sector, reports BSS.