Major overhaul of airports underway

DOT Desk
The country’s aviation infrastructure is set to get a major impetus with the upgradation of most of the airports, a senior official said, reports The Financial Express. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) chief said Cox’s Bazar airport would be more modernised than Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram. CAAB chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Naim Hassan said the prime minister wanted it to be an alternative transit point for Europe or Singapore, New Zealand Korea and Japan-bound passengers instead of Dubai.
On the other hand, the Osmani International Airport in Sylhet will be upgraded in three phases by 2040 at an estimated cost of Tk 24 billion.
The authorities are also set to upgrade Saidpur airport as the regional hub connecting Bhutan, India and Nepal.
“We’re building an arrival and departure lounge to the east of Cox’s Bazar airport alongside a big hall beside domestic lounge at Tk 2.75 billion,” he said recently.
This would be operational within months, he disclosed.
Mr Hassan said the runway had already been expanded to 9,000ft and it would be further widened to 12,000ft.
“The ECNEC recently approved a development project proforma to widen the runway to 12,000ft so that wide-body aircraft like Airbus380 can land there.”
“This will be on the river and work is due to start by the beginning of next year,” the CAAB chief said.
The instrument landing system will be installed within 15 days after the CAAB gets land from the government, he added.
Work on approach and landing aid [very high frequency (VHF) omni-directional range (VOR)] is also ongoing.
The runway of Osmani airport would be improved so that wide-body aircraft of longer distance can take off from there with full payload, said Mr Hassan.
The airport will have one terminal building, four boarding bridges and a cargo complex, taking into consideration the London flight operations.
“Consultation regarding the project is done. The project has also been approved. Advertisement will be published within one month,” the CAAB leader said.