Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) long-awaited Third Terminal is set to begin passenger operations on December 16 with a symbolic Dhaka-Narita flight marking its inauguration, finally bringing Bangladesh’s flagship aviation infrastructure into commercial use.

Under the latest plan, at least 10 international flights are expected to use the terminal on opening day, with passengers completing check-in, immigration, baggage and other travel formalities through the new facility, sources familiar with the preparations told Aviation Express.

Two or three boarding bridges and part of the baggage-handling infrastructure are expected to be activated initially, with flight numbers gradually increasing as operations stabilise.

“The number of flights will not decrease from the day of the launch; rather, it will gradually increase over time,” an official familiar with the plan said, requesting anonymity.

The symbolic Dhaka-Narita flight would carry particular significance as Japan has been the principal development partner behind the Third Terminal, while a Japanese consortium is being lined up to operate and maintain the facility.

Unlike the ceremonial soft opening held in October 2023, officials said the Victory Day launch would involve actual passenger operations.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has yet to conclude the operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement with the Japanese consortium, leaving a major challenge ahead of the December deadline.

The consortium submitted its formal proposal on August 25 following lengthy negotiations, during which the two sides reached an understanding on a 27% revenue share for CAAB, sources said.

CAAB is seeking to conclude the agreement by the end of October. Under the proposed arrangement, the consortium would operate and maintain the terminal for 15 years under a public-private partnership model.

The operator’s proposal, however, provides around six months for preparations following contract signing, putting pressure on the planned December 16 partial opening.

Several issues, including an escrow arrangement involving Biman Bangladesh Airlines, key performance indicators and penalties for baggage-delivery delays, have already been resolved, sources said.

The 226,000-square-metre terminal has 115 check-in counters, 66 departure and 59 arrival immigration desks, 12 boarding bridges and 12 baggage conveyor belts.

Its operationalisation also comes as Bangladesh moves to introduce competition in passenger ground handling at HSIA. Global operators Menzies Aviation, Swissport, Çelebi Aviation, dnata and SATS are competing for the second ground-handling operation alongside Biman.

The December 16 launch will therefore be more than an inauguration. It will provide the first real test of whether the Third Terminal’s sophisticated infrastructure can be matched by efficient baggage handling, ground operations, technology and passenger services.

If the remaining pieces fall into place, the symbolic Dhaka-Narita flight will mark the long-awaited transition of Bangladesh’s most ambitious airport project from infrastructure to operation.