Third terminal looks at a tough takeoff in Oct

Starting operations at the 3rd terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in October appears to be challenging due mostly to an acute manpower shortage and incomplete compliance measures.

Officials at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) say they have already begun training technicians.

Still, sources point out a likely delay of several months if the government chooses a Japanese consortium for operation and maintenance under the Tk 214- billion project, meant to transform the Dhaka airport into an aviation hub.

"Yes, starting operations at the 3rd terminal in October would be very challenging. But CAAB is committed to its readiness and has begun all necessary work with the target of a partial launch in October," said CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Mafidur Rahman.

Speaking at his office on Sunday, he told The Financial Express that they have trained 2,500 staff recruited recently. However, the full-fledged operations will require 6,000 personnel.

Besides, CAAB has instructed the 3rd terminal's contractor to complete the remaining 7 per cent of work by April 6 and hand over the terminal on that date -- the last day of the contract.

Meanwhile, the Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) is working on finalising the consortium of six Japanese companies, including Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Narisat International Airport Corporation, and Sojitz Corporation General Trading Company, for the operations and management.

Despite government approval for the consortium's proposal under the G2G PPP model, the authority has sought International Finance Corporation (IFC) assistance to assess the proposal and guide negotiations.

PPP Authority sources expect the study report to be ready next month, followed by a two-month negotiation period with the Japanese consortium after reviewing the report.

The CAAB chairman anticipates finalising the Japanese consortium through successful negotiations by August.

However, he admitted that the consortium would require around six months to fully assume the airport terminal and commence full operations after signing the operations and maintenance contract.

The PPP Authority is set to begin discussions with the Japanese consortium at the next Japan-Bangladesh platform meeting, expected within the next couple of months.

CAAB started the 3rd terminal construction after the existing two terminals reached capacity thanks to increasing passenger and aircraft numbers on international flights.

In January 2020, CAAB signed a contract with a consortium of Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation and Fujita Corporation and South Korea's Samsung C&T Corporation.

This contract tasked the consortium with building the 542,000-square-metre 3rd terminal. It also includes parking facilities for 37 planes, a 230,000-square-metre terminal building, 115 check-in counters, 64 departure and 64 arrival immigration desks, 27 baggage scanning machines, 40 security scanners, 12 boarding bridges, 16 carousels and 11 body scanners.

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