All international and domestic airports in the country will get sophisticated architectural designs along with modern equipment, to attract more foreign direct investment, travelers, and increase passenger service quality in the coming days.
The authorities concerned is optimistic that once the development work is completed within the next few years, the country's overall aviation scenario will be changed to help the economy grow faster.
Civil Aviation and Tourism state minister, Md Mahbub Ali told Bangladesh Post, "Renovation and modernization of the country's airports are priority projects of the present government as it reflects a country's first impression. In phases, all the airports will be upgraded.
The development projects include constructing the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at a cost of Tk 21000 crore, upgradation of Cox's Bazar Airport to international standard at a cost of Tk 2000 crore, and constructing a terminal building at a cost of Tk 2800 crore, land acquisition for the construction of Khan Jahan Ali Airport in Bagerhat, runway, and taxiway overlaying project of Sylhet Osmani International Airport at a cost of Taka 450 crore and terminal building construction at a cost of Tk 2100 crore, runway and taxiway overlaying of Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport at a cost of Taka 540 crore, modernization of Jessore Airport Terminal at a cost of Taka 322 crore, development and parking construction project of terminal building of Saidpur Airport at a cost of Taka 324 crore.
Not only that, plans are afoot to construct Bangabandhu International Airport at a cost of Taka 1300 crore, while expanding and renovating Barishal and Rajshahi airports is also under consideration.
Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Air Vice Marshal Mofidur Rahman said that among the Prime Minister's priority projects, upgradation and modernization of Sylhet, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Jashore, Saidpur, Rajshahi, and Khan Jahan Ali airport is mentionable. We are sincerely working on these airports where a modern sophisticated look will also be found.
According to CAAB information, direct flights from Sylhet Osmani International Airport to London will start on October 4. A lucrative lounge for London inbound and outbound passengers has been constructed. Runway project work and cargo shed construction work are about to be completed. Work on a new international terminal building there is underway.
On the other hand, runway expansion of Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport is continuing in full swing and a consultant has been appointed for the development of the airport.
At Cox’s Bazar Airport, construction of a new terminal building is also going on fast, holding lounge extension work is expected to be completed at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, even Jashore Airport is a small domestic airport, where every day around 12-13 domestic flights are operated there. As a result, passenger pressure is increasing every day there. To deal with huge passenger pressure a new terminal building is being constructed. Authorities concerned are hopeful the new terminal building construction will be completed within December this year. Construction of aprons for adequate aircraft parking has been completed.
A similar situation is witnessed at Saidpur airport, each day around 12 domestic flights operate there. To face the increasing passenger load in the coming days, terminal expansion work is continuing while land development for Khan Jahan Ali Airport is about to end.
Although the construction of the terminal was temporarily halted due to the global pandemic, it is now progressing rapidly. These new terminals will have all the modern facilities. The terminal with various state-of-the-art facilities has been skillfully designed to impress domestic and foreign passengers.
The CAAB chairman said, once all the development work of international and domestic airports is complete, these will change the country’s aviation, and passengers will have a safe air journey.
