Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ According to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will emerge as the international aviation gateway and communication center between eastern and western nations. While watching the presentation of the third terminal expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at her official residence, Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister said, “Bangladesh will be the international aviation gateway and communication hub between east and west as a result of its geographical location and government initiatives”.
Hasan Jahid Tusher, the PM’s Deputy Press Secretary, addressed the media following the presentation. He stated that the ongoing construction of the third terminal of HSIA and the upgrading of Cox’s Bazar to an international airport, as well as the expansion of its runway, will further propel the nation towards prosperity. Sheikh Hasina expressed her hopes, saying, “Bangladesh will be the bridge between east and west as well as an aviation gateway”.
Highlighting the geographical importance of Cox’s Bazar Airport in its location, the PM said, “The length of international routes will be shortened if Cox’s Bazar Airport is used for refueling”. She added, “Cox’s Bazar will become a gateway similar to Dubai, which is now being used by everyone as a gateway for aircraft refueling.” Highlighting the Cox’s Bazar airport’s close distance for refueling on international routes, she stated, “Everyone will be able to utilize this service straight from Cox’s Bazar.”
The PM also stated that refueling foreign planes at Cox’s Bazar will improve the country’s revenue. According to her, all operations at the third terminal of the HSIA would be administered digitally so that passengers could receive services of international quality in a very swift and convenient manner. In this regard, the Premier also stated that a foreign corporation will be responsible for the management and upkeep of the airport.
The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Air-Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, gave a presentation on the current status of the third terminal extension project of the HSIA to the Prime Minister. M Mafidur Rahman stated that all essential preparations for the opening of the third terminal of HSIA in next October will be finalized.
Mafidur Rahman further added that thus far 61 percent of the third terminal’s construction has been finished, and that 93 percent of the entire project would be done by October of next year, with just minor tasks remaining. The Chairman of the CAAB stated that the cost of the project may grow from Taka 22,000 crores to Taka 27,000 crores as a result of the rise in the dollar’s value and the cost of various goods, but that the terminal’s amenities and efficiency would be improved.
In addition to the construction of the third terminal for the HSIA, the installation of radar by French radar manufacturer Thales was also proposed. In response to this, the Prime Minister instructed the authority to expedite the radar installation. She mentioned that the country’s income will grow further as a result of the installation of the new radar, which will make it easier to detect planes traveling over Bangladesh and so generate substantial cash.
According to civil aviation, the new radar installation project, which began in October 2021, is expected to conclude in June 2024. However, the third terminal and radar will be inaugurated simultaneously, and construction will be finished as quickly as possible. The radar capability will be expanded to the Indian and Myanmar maritime borders. It will also assist modernize and safeguard the Air communication infrastructure.
The presentation was attended by Md Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism; M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary; Mohammad Salahuddin, Prime Minister’s Office Secretary; and Md Mokammel Hossain, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary.
