Photo : Ministry

DHAKA, Sept 8, 2026 (BSS) - Formal negotiations with the Japanese consortium over signing an operating contract for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's (HSIA) third terminal will begin today, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said.

"The negotiations between officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the consortium will begin today," he told reporters after inspecting the terminal.

The minister said the government had set a deadline for beginning at least partial operations at the terminal on December 16.

Whether the target can be met would become clearer after the negotiations, he said, adding that the government remained committed to opening the terminal partially on the stipulated date.

Millat said the terminal could initially handle around 20 flights, while the number will gradually increase eventually more as its operational capacity expanded.

"We are still hopeful that we will be able to begin partial operations on December 16," he said.

The minister said the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process was 57 percent complete, while the consortium and other agencies concerned would complete the remaining 43 percent.

Following the partial opening, it could take another three to five months to make the terminal fully operational, he said, expressing hope that full-scale operations would begin by March or April next year.

Customs would install the required scanners, while the immigration facilities under the Ministry of Home Affairs would be brought into operation in phases, he added.

Millat said the terminal building had previously undergone a "soft opening" by the previous disposed government, but the integration of its equipment, ORAT activities and other essential operational preparations had not been completed.

The current government resumed the stalled work after taking office and initiated discussions with the Japanese consortium, he said.

The minister said Bangladesh's proposed share of revenue from the terminal's operation had been raised from 15 percent to 27 percent following several rounds of discussions involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant authorities.

"This is good news, as the increased revenue share will help us repay the loan taken for constructing the terminal," he said.

CAAB has already paid around Taka 1,100 crore in loan installments from its other earnings and will have to pay another Taka 900 crore in December, the minister said.

He said the existing terminals and other aviation operations were currently generating the revenue used to repay the loan, underscoring the need to make the third terminal operational without further delay.

On ground handling, Millat said the negotiations would determine how responsibilities would be shared between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the foreign operator.

He, however, stressed the need to train Biman personnel and involve them in the terminal's operations.

The operating consortium would also be required to deliver passengers' baggage within 15 to 40 minutes, he said, adding that CAAB could impose fines for failure to meet the stipulated timeframe.

Millat said the equipment installed at the terminal was undergoing daily testing and trial operations and had been found in good condition during the inspection.

Once fully operational, the third terminal would increase the airport's capacity nearly fourfold and could eventually enable it to handle between 200 and 250 flights, he said.

Describing an international airport as "the mirror of a country," the minister said the terminal would help present a modern and investment-friendly image of Bangladesh to foreign visitors.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Invest Bangladesh Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury and senior officials of CAAB and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, among others, joined the inspection.