🏗️ Dhaka Terminal 3 Progresses as Business Jet Movements Rise 28.6%
As of August 31, 2026, approximately 57% of the operational readiness and airport transition work for Terminal 3 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka had been completed, with the remaining work still underway. At the time, the airport continued to operate with a single runway and limited parking stand capacity. Earlier, on August 25, a Japanese consortium had submitted its technical and financial proposals for the operation and maintenance of Terminal 3. The airport also proposed mitigation measures such as shortening turnaround times and improving ground handling and slot management. Avi-Go data show that VGHS recorded 36 business jet movements from August 1 to August 31, 2026, up by 8 movements, or 28.6%, from 28 movements between July 1 and July 31. Departures increased from 14 to 17 movements, up 21.4%, while arrivals rose from 14 to 19 movements, up 35.7%. Both datasets cover full calendar months and count each departure and arrival as one movement at the airport level. The data indicate that demand for business aviation ground handling increased in August compared with July while preparations for Terminal 3 continued.
Impact: The increase in business jet movements in August came mainly from arrivals, which rose by 5 movements, exceeding the increase of 3 departures. This placed more direct operational pressure on limited parking stands, fueling coordination, and ground turnaround. For operators planning large business jet or overnight missions at VGHS, the 57% readiness progress for Terminal 3 should be assessed separately from actual operating conditions during the month. Mission planning must still be based on aircraft-specific permit and handling confirmations.
Recommendation: Operators conducting missions to VGHS should confirm landing permits, available parking stands, fueling arrangements, and estimated handling times item by item before dispatch, and should arrange alternative parking options for overnight missions. Future developments worth monitoring include key milestones in the remaining Terminal 3 readiness work and whether the increase in business jet arrivals continues to exceed that of departures, allowing operators to dynamically adjust turnaround and parking arrangements in Dhaka.