HSIA being upgraded to handle increased passengers, cargo

FE Team | Published: August 08, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Kamrun Nahar
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is set to upgrade Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the face of growing demand as per a draft master plan prepared by a consulting firm at a cost of Tk 130 billion.
CAAB sources said the upgradation is being done to cope with increasing passenger flow and cargo handling that will meet the demand for next 25-30 years.
At present, the airport has the capacity to handle 8.0 million passengers. In FY 2014-15, as many as 6.7 million passengers had used the airport. The passenger growth rate is 9.5 per cent a year.
The airport has a capacity to handle 2,00,000 tonnes of cargo annually but is now handling 2,18,000 tonnes, which is 18 per cent higher than the capacity. The airport now uses 40 per cent of its total capacity. Once the new infrastructures are built, the rest 60 per cent also can be used.
CAAB sources said the draft master plan includes one new runway, third terminal and relevant infrastructures for modernisation of the airport which will be completed in two phases.
While contacted, civil aviation and tourism secretary Khorshed Alam told the FE he is unaware of update on the upgradation project of the HSIA and suggested this reporter to call the CAAB chairman.
Despite several phone calls and SMS, this reporter failed to contact the chairman.
Seeking anonymity, a CAAB official associated with the upgradation project told the FE Friday that they already submitted the development project proposal (DPP) for approval. It is now lying with the civil aviation and tourism ministry.
While asked when it will be sent to the planning commission, the CAAB official said it cannot be predicted as there are still some decisions to be taken. But hopefully, all the components of the draft master plan will be implemented, he said.
In the first phase, the third terminal, cargo village, VIP complex and domestic terminal will be constructed. The works are supposed to start this year and will be completed by 2019. The estimated cost for all these is Tk 107 billion.
In the next phase, the second terminal and other infrastructures will be built at an estimated cost of Tk 23 billion.
As per the feasibility study report, after completion of the first phase works, the implementation work of the second phase will be re-evaluated.
The CAAB engaged Korean company Yushin, Singaporean company CPG and Bangladesh's DDC as joint consultancy firms which conducted the feasibility study and prepared the master plan for expansion of the airport.
The feasibility study found expansion of HSIA necessary and called for starting the works of the first phase as soon as possible.
The feasibility study report and the master plan were submitted to the prime minister's office (PMO) on May 13 this year. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina instructed the concerned authority to advance the works of the third terminal and finish it to control pressure of the increased flow of passengers.
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