Bangladesh soon to be aviation gateway between east, west

Dhaka : Bangladesh will be the aviation gateway and bridge between the east and the west in the future, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 22 while witnessing a presentation on the progress of the "Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Third Terminal Expansion Project" at her official residence Gono Bhaban. 
The premier highlighted that the Third Terminal at Dhaka airport, expansion of the runway, and improving the Cox's Bazar International Airport would take the country towards prosperity by utilising the geographical advantages of Bangladesh. 

She added that Cox's Bazar Airport is the most important, pointing out that using Cox's Bazar Airport for refuelling will reduce the distance of international routes. 

"Cox's Bazar will become a gateway just as everyone now uses Dubai as a gateway for aircraft refuelling," the premier claimed. 
She mentioned that Cox's Bazar will also increase the country's income from refuelling international flights. 

Speaking about Dhaka Airport, the PM said that everything at the third terminal of the HSIA will be managed digitally. 
"People will be able to get international quality services quickly and easily. Therefore, the operation and maintenance of the airport will be given to a foreign company," she noted. 

Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh presented the updated information on the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Third Terminal Expansion Project. 

He said that all necessary preparations will be completed for the inauguration of the Third Terminal in October 2023. 

Stating that 61 per cent of the third terminal work has been completed so far, he said that 93 per cent of the total project work will be completed by October 2024. 

He mentioned that the cost of the project may increase from BDT 22,000 crore to BDT 27,000 crore due to the increase in the value of the dollar and the price of various products. 

CAAB Chairman further said that with cost escalation, various facilities and efficiency will increase. 

The installation of radar by Thales, a French radar manufacturer, was also discussed. PM Hasina asked the authorities to finish the installation of the radar quickly. She said that with the installation of the new radar, the income in the aviation sector will increase. 

"Because then it will be easy to track the flights passing over Bangladesh airspace and it will be easy to get various types of fees from them," she said. 

According to reports, the project to install the new radar was taken up in October 2021 with the time frame to complete it by June 2024. 

However, the third terminal and radar two will be inaugurated at the same time, reports added. 

As per reports, the radar capacity will extend to the sea limits available from India and Myanmar. The air communication system will be more modern and secure. 

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, among others, were also present on the occasion.