The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is working to open Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) third terminal on December 16 this year, marking Victory Day.

“The third terminal of HSIA will be opened in phases after completion of a deal with Japan and a test run,” CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq said today.

He made the remarks at an exchange meeting with members of Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the CAAB headquarters.

He said the proposed agreement with Japan on operation of the third terminal would be concluded fully protecting Bangladesh’s interests.

“The agreement will be completely fair. We will do whatever is necessary to protect Bangladesh’s interests. So far, we have held nine rounds of negotiations,” he said.

The chairman said both sides had reached consensus on several issues, though some gaps still remained, expressing hope that the agreement could be finalised within the next few months.

Replying to a question on the timeframe, he said it would take at least three months to sign the agreement after negotiations conclude.

He said a test run of six months to one year would be conducted after signing the deal.

“We hope to launch the third terminal on a limited scale around six months after the test run,” he said.

On long-pending audits by International Civil Aviation Organization, he said the last audit was completed in 2018 while an ICAO team is expected to visit in October this year.

He said the main audit is likely to be held between mid and late 2027.

Regarding security alerts at airports, the chairman said CAAB had received instructions from Police Headquarters to strengthen security measures nationwide.

ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar, General Secretary Baten Biplob and CAAB officials were present at the meeting.