State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat today said it may take six to nine months to begin operations at the long-awaited third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

“We are trying to expedite the process, but based on our assessment it may take six to nine months. There is a possibility that the terminal could be opened within nine months,” he said told reporters at the secretariat here.

Responding to a query about the government’s efforts to expedite the opening of the terminal following the prime minister’s directive, Millat said the authorities are working to accelerate the process but the operational launch could still require six to nine months.

A senior official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) told Aviation Express today that  a fresh round of negotiations with the Japanese consortium will be held on March 13 to move forward with plans to make the terminal fully operational.

The third terminal project has faced delays due to unresolved issues over operation and maintenance arrangements with the Japanese consortium comprising Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and Narita International Airport Corporation during the interim government’s tenure.

After assuming the state power, the BNP government has recently stepped up efforts to resolve contractual and technical issues to ensure the terminal becomes operational at the earliest.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at a recent high-level meeting at the Cabinet Division, directed the authorities concerned to expedite the operationalisation of the new terminal and remove bottlenecks related to contractual and technical matters.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) also acknowledged that the project experienced delays during the interim government period and said the current government is determined to complete the process and open the terminal as soon as possible.

The third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, once operational, is expected to significantly enhance Bangladesh’s aviation capacity and strengthen the country’s position as a regional aviation hub.