Third terminal operation to be handed over to Japanese consortium: Aviation Minister

The government wants to entrust the operation of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to a Japanese consortium, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita has said. She added that the decision would be made through discussions while safeguarding national interests.

The minister made the remarks after bilateral talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, April 3.

Rita said the third terminal will be operational within this year, and there is no need for an open tender. However, the government will make a final decision after further discussions. Talks between the two sides will continue.

The third terminal, the country's largest aviation sector project worth Tk 22,000 crore, was partially inaugurated in October 2023 and was supposed to be fully operational the following year. However, the project has been stalled for nearly three years due to a failure in appointing an operator.

A Japanese consortium was supposed to operate the terminal for 15 years, but the talks collapsed during the interim government's tenure. The current government has renewed efforts to discuss the matter with Japan. Another meeting between the two sides on the third terminal is scheduled for Monday, April 6.