Flights suspension at Dhaka airport for 8 hours every day from Dec 9 to Mar 10
During the period, the runway will not be available for takeoff and landing from 12am to 8am
Due to the ongoing construction work of the third terminal, flight operations at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be halted for eight hours every day (12:00am to 8:00am) from December 9 to March 10 next year.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) decided to halt all kinds of domestic and international flights at the specified time for those three months, said Group Captain AHM Touhid-ul Ahsan, executive director, Dhaka airport.
In case of emergency landing, the Sylhet Osmani International Airport can be used, according to the authority.
Airport sources said that a new high speed connecting taxiway was being constructed at the third terminal, works for which would be done at night. Besides, the work for lighting would also continue at the same time.
AHM Touhid-ul Ahsan said the runway would be closed during the renovation period.
Regarding the issue, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman told The Business Standard that the construction work of the third terminal would continue near the runway, making movement of aircrafts unsafe. Due to this, flight operations would remain suspended.
"It is also usually very foggy this time of the year. No flight activities take place. To utilise this time, we have made this decision," he said, adding every year in November, the winter flight schedule is followed. Due to the heavy fog from 2am to 9am, the runway's visibility is low.
"Due to the heavy fog, the flight schedule is changed, but this is planned in advance. Even if the airport is closed this time around, there is no reason for passengers to worry. Flight times at night will be adjusted," he said.
