CAAB pauses approvals for additional foreign flights at Dhaka Airport

Dhaka : The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has temporarily stopped approving additional international passenger flights by foreign airlines at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as congestion continues to strain the country's busiest aviation hub. The restriction will remain in effect until the airport's third terminal becomes fully operational, according to CAAB. The authority said Shahjalal Airport is currently handling around 316 aircraft movements each day, including international, domestic and cargo operations, putting significant pressure on runways, passenger terminals, immigration facilities and baggage handling systems. To reduce congestion in Dhaka, CAAB has encouraged foreign airlines seeking to expand services to operate additional flights through Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet instead. Officials said the move is intended to better distribute international air traffic across the country's airport network while preparations continue for the opening of the third terminal, which is expected to significantly increase passenger handling capacity and ease operational bottlenecks at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.