-File photo

DHAKA, July 20, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh is likely to sign an agreement with a Japanese consortium by late August or early September to operate the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq said today.

"We are trying to inaugurate the terminal on December 16. Before that, the Japanese consortium will submit its bid on July 31. A decision will be taken afterwards," Siddiq told journalists after a workshop at the CAAB headquarters in Dhaka.

"The next timeline will become clear after the agreement is signed. However, the agreement is likely to be signed either at the end of August or in early September," he added.

The CAAB chairman said the authorities are aiming to inaugurate the long-awaited terminal in December, subject to completion of the remaining formalities and operational arrangements.

He said the agreement with the Japanese consortium would be finalised ahead of the inauguration, after which the authorities would determine the next course of action.

The government has been negotiating with a consortium comprising Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and Narita International Airport Corporation to operate the terminal.

The negotiations regained momentum earlier this year after the Japanese side submitted a revised proposal, narrowing differences over service charges, operational control and revenue-sharing arrangements.

The Third Terminal, now more than 99 percent complete, has remained non-operational because of unresolved management and operational issues.

Constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 21,398 crore, the project has been largely financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Spanning about 542,000 square metres, the terminal is designed to accommodate an additional 12 to 16 million passengers annually and handle nearly 900,000 tonnes of cargo.

Aviation experts have repeatedly stressed that bringing the terminal into operation is essential to easing congestion at HSIA, improving passenger services and supporting Bangladesh's ambition to become a regional aviation and logistics hub.

Siddiq made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions after a workshop titled "Civil Aviation & Air Traffic Operation", organised by CAAB.

The workshop, attended by journalists from various media outlets, focused on airport management, airside and landside operations, aviation security, passenger services, air traffic management and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Addressing the workshop, Siddiq said civil aviation is a highly specialised and technical sector closely linked to public interest, making accurate, balanced and responsible reporting essential.

"There is no alternative to subject-specific knowledge and accurate information for ensuring precise, balanced and responsible reporting on aviation," he said, adding that CAAB would continue organising similar workshops to strengthen journalists' understanding of aviation operations, security and other technical issues.

On drone operations, the CAAB chairman said the authority is adopting a stricter approach against unauthorised drone flights in sensitive areas, particularly around airports.

He urged drone operators to thoroughly understand and comply with the relevant rules and regulations before flying drones in such areas.

During the technical session, CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan presented an overview of civil aviation, highlighting CAAB's responsibilities, airport management, airside and landside operations, passenger services and security measures.

He also emphasised the importance of modern air traffic management and compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure safe and efficient air navigation.

initiatives undertaken to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, including waivers of embarkation, passenger security and airport development fees, distribution of Zamzam water, dedicated prayer spaces, safe drinking water, improved washroom facilities, hand sanitisers, trolleys, chairs, queue management systems, mosquito-control measures and infrastructure upgrades.

He said the initiatives were aimed at ensuring safer, smoother and more comfortable travel for Hajj pilgrims.

CAAB Member (Air Traffic Management) Air Commodore Md Noor-e-Alam delivered a separate presentation on air traffic operations, covering Air Traffic Control (ATC), aircraft movement management, Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), communication and navigation systems, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), aeronautical lighting, Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), airfield orientation and emergency response procedures during flight operations.