Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's (HSIA) third terminal is all set for the soft launching on October 7.

According to authorities concerned, nearly 90 percent of the terminal's construction work has been completed till today. 

Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said at a press briefing at the new terminal in the capital.

He said, "The terminal is ready to get partial inauguration by Honarable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 7." 

He said the entire scenic terminal building with most of the facilities is now visible and work on interior decoration and the installation of various equipment has been almost finished. 

"We needed 90 percent of work done for the soft launching and I can say, till today, 89 percent of those have been completed," he said. 

He said the terminal will be fully operational for passengers use at the end of next year while from October 7 airlines would be able to use new parking lot of the terminal. 

"The new terminal will change the country's image with all world class amenities and passenger services," said the CAAB chief. 
 
Rahman said after the soft launching, the work for systems integration and calibration would be started and it is expected to complete within next eight months.
 
The 12 boarding gates with double entry bridges of the third terminal will be operational by next year while the additional 14 boarding bridges are expected to be operational afterwards.
 
After full-fledged operation of the 3rd terminal, the annual passenger handling capacity of the HSIA would be 20 million which is now only eight million.

BDST: 1743 HRS, OCT 2, 2023
MSK/SMS