DHAKA: The upgrading project of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has recently been complete. Civil aviation and tourism ministry sources confirmed that it took Tk 562.77-crore to complete this project.

The sources further said, “The upgrading project started at Shahjalal airport in July, 2008. It was implemented under annual development project (ADP) targeting to complete in December, 2015. But it was finished early this September”.

Under this project the schemes reconstructed taxiway, improved drainage system, ensured the movement of larger aircrafts, upgraded taxiways from D-Type to E-Type and upgrading the aerodrome category from O to OO.

Bangladesh civil aviation and tourism ministry joint secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanom told banglanews about the up-gradation project of the airport. She said, “It took eight years to complete the project”.

“The economy of Bangladesh is growing. The number of international and domestic flights has increased. The upgrading process was executed to meet the international standard. The completion of this project will ensure the security of more passengers through this airport.”

Moreover, Airport Armed Police senior police super Mohammad Alamgir Hossain opined that the security of aircraft landing has been ensured due to the upgrading process.

He further said, “The crafts used to face various difficulties to smoothly landing on the runway. Once one of the Emirates aircraft had a tyre ruptured during the touchdown”.

“Due to the upgrading process the condition of the runway has improved a lot. Hopefully this type of accidents won’t occur anymore. Landings of the aircrafts will be more secure. Moreover, the taxiway and the drainage system have also been improved.”

Alamgir added that the passengers are already getting benefits of these upgrading. Shahjalal airport is the base of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, United Airlines and all other airlines of the country.

Fifty two percent of international and domestic flights are being operated through this 1,981-acre Shahjalal airport while 17% passengers use Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, the second biggest airport of the country.

As many as 40 lakhs international and 10 lakhs domestic passengers and 150,000 ton cargos and postal service come and go through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he added.

BDST: 1649 HRS, DEC 14, 2015
AIK/RR