CAAB hopes to complete negotiation with Japanese consortium by June

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is expecting to complete the negotiation with the Japanese consortium that will take the charge of operation and maintenance work of the newly-built third terminal of the country's prime international airport by June this year.

CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan told this correspondent that they are currently in negotiation with the consortium and hope to complete the formalities by June this year.

The consortium is seeking six to eight months to complete the formalities after finalising the agreement, while the CAAB is demanding that the consortium finish the tasks within five to six months, he said.

A Japanese consortium comprising four companies is likely to get operation and maintenance work of the third terminal for 15 years as the preliminary bid discussion went on successfully.

After the negotiation is completed, the consortium will need to recruit personnel, conduct training, and provide equipment and instruction to them. Finally they will have to check the equipment by running them.

All these formalities will take some time. The CAAB chairman said they are trying their best to open the 3rd terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) by the end of this year.

He said the authorities are overseeing all aspects of the project, from airport development to operations, maintenance, licensing of airlines and aircraft, and pilot certifications.

The third terminal's construction is almost complete. Only some work remains in the VVIP section, which may take until June or July due to complexities in the contracts and delay in importing materials like granite flooring and ceiling components from abroad.

He noted that daily inspections at the third terminal are underway and the CAAB has a target to begin operation as soon as possible because this terminal has been built with loaned funds, which must be repaid.

"So, we are prioritising early operation," said the chairman, adding, "Each machine in the third terminal is now being checked one by one.

Our aim is to complete everything within this year and open it for passengers."

The consortium of four Japanese firms will oversee the terminal's operation and maintenance.

National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines will continue to provide ground handling of the terminal under the supervision of the consortium.

Before that, a service level agreement (SLA) will be signed between Biman and the consortium.

Biman has been offering ground services since the country's independence, but its performance has faced criticism from other airlines over the years.

Responding to a question on Biman's continued involvement and concern over service quality, the CAAB chairman said, "As per current instructions, Biman will handle ground services for the next two years."

As is the case around the world, immigration police and customs will take care of security at the third terminal, said the official.

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