Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) expects to finalise an agreement with a Japanese consortium to manage the newly constructed third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by June this year.

Speaking to this correspondent, CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan said talks with the four-company consortium are ongoing and nearing conclusion. “We are prioritising early operation,” he noted, adding that daily inspections are underway and the aim is to open the terminal for passengers by year-end.

The consortium, expected to take charge for 15 years, has requested six to eight months to complete post-agreement formalities, including recruitment, training, and equipment checks. However, CAAB is pressing for a shorter five to six-month timeline.

Construction of the third terminal is nearly complete, with only the VVIP section pending, delayed by contractual complexities and import issues involving materials like granite and ceiling components.

Once operational, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will continue providing ground handling services under the consortium’s supervision for two more years. The national carrier and the consortium must sign a service level agreement (SLA). Despite past criticism of Biman’s service quality, CAAB stands by the arrangement.

The chairman emphasised that the terminal’s early operation is a financial imperative, built with external loans. “Each machine is now being checked one by one. Our goal is to launch within this year.”