3rd Terminal operations deal likely by Sept: CAAB Chairman

Bangladesh is likely to sign an agreement with a Japanese consortium by late August or early September to operate the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the CAAB headquarters, Siddiq said the authorities were aiming to inaugurate the terminal on 16 December.

"We are trying to inaugurate the terminal on 16 December. Before that, the Japanese consortium will submit its bid on 31 July. A decision will be taken afterwards," he said.

"The next timeline will become clear after the agreement is signed. However, the agreement is likely to be signed either at the end of August or in early September," he added.

Siddiq said the agreement with the Japanese consortium would be signed before the terminal is inaugurated, after which the authorities would finalise the next course of action.

Meanwhile, he said CAAB was adopting a tougher stance against unauthorised drone operations in sensitive areas, particularly around airports.

He urged those intending to operate drones in such areas to familiarise themselves with and strictly comply with the relevant rules and regulations before flying them.