Runway Capacity At Dhaka Airport: How Many Are There?

The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (IATA: DAC, ICAO: VGHS), formerly known as the Dacca International Airport, is the largest airport in Bangladesh. It is located in Kurmitola, 17 kilometres from the city centre, in the northern part of Dhaka. The airport currently has one runway, but there are plans to build a second runway as air traffic is projected to increase after the construction of the third terminal.

The airport's history and previous names

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, also known as Dhaka Airport, is the main international airport serving Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital city. It is the country's largest airport, with an area of 1,981 acres, and serves more than 9 million passengers each year. The airport is named after Hazrat Shah Jalal, a famous Sufi Muslim figure who played a significant role in spreading Islam in Bengal.

The history of Dhaka Airport can be traced back to World War II when the British government of India built military airstrips near Tejgaon and Kurmitola to deploy warplanes to Burma and other battlegrounds. These airstrips were equipped with military fighter plane landing facilities, and the British Air Force utilised them for aircraft maintenance.

In 1947, following the partition of India, Tejgaon Airport became a civilian airport in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). However, as civil aviation activities increased, the airport began to fall short of meeting international standards. Consequently, the Pakistani government initiated a project in 1966 to construct a new airport in Kurmitola, with technical support from French experts. Unfortunately, the construction was interrupted by the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, during which the airstrip sustained severe damage.

After Bangladesh gained independence, the new government resumed the construction work, aiming to make the airport the country's main international gateway. The airport, known as Dacca International Airport at the time, commenced operations in 1980 under the leadership of President Ziaur Rahman. However, due to Ziaur Rahman's assassination in 1981, the airport's completion was delayed until 1983. At that time, the newly elected President Abdus Sattar renamed it Zia International Airport.

In 2010, the airport underwent another renaming, honouring the revered Sufi saint Shah Jalal, and became known as Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. This name change was accompanied by an update to the airport's ICAO code, reflecting its new title.

The airport's terminals and facilities

The Airport Terminals and Facilities

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, currently has one runway. The airport has three major terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) are for international flights and are located in the same building, with T1 on the ground floor used for arrivals and T2 on the first floor for departures. A third adjacent terminal, the Domestic Terminal, is for domestic flights and is located to the left of the international terminals. Both the arrivals and departures concourses are on the same floor in the one-storey Domestic Terminal.

The airport also has a VIP terminal, located about 200 metres from the main gate, and a cargo terminal with a capacity of 200,000 tons per year. This capacity will increase to 500,000 tons after the completion of the ongoing renovation and expansion project.

The airport offers a range of shopping and dining options, including popular restaurants, cafes, luxury shops, and designer boutiques. It also provides free Wi-Fi accessibility and baby care facilities. Several lounges are available, including the City Bank American Express Lounge, the Intercontinental Dhaka Balaka Executive Lounge, the MTB Air Lounge, and the Skylounge, offering various amenities such as beverages, air conditioning, WiFi, TV, newspapers, magazines, and more.

HSIA is currently constructing a third terminal, which will significantly increase the passenger handling capacity to 24 million per year. The new terminal will cover an area of 542,000 square metres and include a VVIP complex, a cargo building, and a multi-level car parking building. The construction is expected to be completed by mid-2024 to mid-2025.

Additionally, there are plans to build a second runway at HSIA as air traffic is projected to increase with the new terminal. The second runway will be very close to the existing one due to space constraints, and simultaneous take-offs and landings will not be possible. The construction of the second runway is expected to begin after the completion of the third terminal.

The airport's location and transport links

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (IATA: DAC) is located in Kurmitola, 17 kilometres (11 miles) from the centre of Dhaka, in the northern part of the city. The airport is 13 miles (20 kilometres) north of downtown Dhaka. It can be accessed via the eight-lane Airport Road. Uttara and Gazipur city are to the north of the airport, while Dhaka city lies to its south.

The airport is served by the Biman Bandar Railway Station or Airport Railway Station, which is about 1.7 kilometres (1 mile) or 2 kilometres away from the airport terminals. The distance can be covered in about 20 minutes on foot. Daily train services connect the airport to downtown Dhaka.

Dhaka Airport can also be reached by road, which is the safest and most reliable transport option. Taxis can be used to get to and from the airport, with a journey time of around 24 minutes to downtown Dhaka. There is a taxi kiosk near the exit gate of the international arrivals concourse hall, where passengers can order a taxi and pre-pay the fare. Buses depart from the main road, a five-minute walk from the terminals, and the average journey time to Dhaka is about one hour. Rickshaws and auto rickshaws (baby taxis) are also available for transfer to central Dhaka.

The airport's future expansion plans

Future Expansion Plans

The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been undergoing expansion to accommodate future demand. The airport currently has one runway and three terminals, with a maximum capacity of 8 million passengers annually. The existing terminals will not be able to handle the growing number of passengers due to capacity constraints.

The airport's expansion plans include the construction of a third passenger terminal, known as Terminal 3, which is expected to be completed and operational by mid-2025. The new terminal will significantly increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 8 million to approximately 20 million, and the cargo capacity from 200,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes. The expansion will also include a VVIP complex, a cargo building, and a multi-level car parking building with a tunnel.

To cope with rising air traffic and the increasing number of passengers, a second runway has been proposed. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has conducted a feasibility study and presented its findings to the civil aviation ministry. The new runway will be very close to the existing one, with only 359 meters between them, due to space constraints. As a result, two planes will not be able to land or take off simultaneously. However, the second runway will be used for taxiing and preparing for take-off during busy hours, and it will be available as a backup in case of emergencies or maintenance on the main runway. The construction of the second runway is expected to begin after the completion of the third terminal.

The expansion of the airport is anticipated to improve air transportation, as well as economic and social development in Bangladesh. The total cost of the expansion project, including the third terminal and the second runway, is estimated to be around $2.3 billion.

The airport's customs rules and regulations

Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is the largest airport in Bangladesh, serving over 9 million passengers annually. The airport currently has one runway, but a second runway is planned to be constructed in 2024.

Customs Rules and Regulations

The following outlines the customs rules and regulations for passengers travelling through Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Baggage Declaration and Duty

Passengers must declare all baggage and goods upon arrival and departure from Bangladesh. Certain items are liable to duty, while others are duty-free.

Items that are currently liable to duty include specific electronic goods, such as televisions, music systems, refrigerators, and air conditioners. The duty for these items varies based on their specifications and features. For example, the duty for televisions is determined by their screen size, while the duty for air conditioners depends on their type (window or split).

On the other hand, passengers are allowed to bring in certain items duty-free. These include personal electronics such as cassette players, desktop/laptop computers, video cameras, still cameras, and mobile phones.

Gold and Silver Allowances

There are specific allowances for gold and silver ornaments. Passengers are permitted to bring in up to 200 grams of gold or silver ornaments, with a maximum of 12 pieces of each item.

Currency Regulations

Bangladesh has specific regulations regarding foreign currency. Passengers must declare any foreign currency they are carrying and may be required to fill out a Foreign Currency Declaration Form.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Like most countries, Bangladesh has a list of prohibited and restricted items that cannot be brought into the country or are subject to special regulations. These may include items such as weapons, certain medications, and restricted plant or animal products.

Import and Export Regulations

Bangladesh has specific regulations regarding the import and export of goods. Certain items may be restricted or prohibited from import or export, while others may require special permits or licenses. These regulations are outlined in the country's customs laws and policies.

Tax Clearance Certificate

Outgoing professionals may require a Tax Clearance Certificate from the National Board of Revenue to ensure they are compliant with all tax obligations before departing the country.

Other Customs Forms and Documents

The National Board of Revenue of Bangladesh provides detailed information on its website about the various forms and documents that different types of passengers may need to claim benefits under customs law. These include forms related to baggage rules, transfer of residence, duty-free allowances, and more.

The customs rules and regulations at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are in place to ensure the safety and security of passengers and comply with international and national laws. Passengers are advised to carefully review the customs regulations before travelling to or from Bangladesh to ensure a smooth journey.

Frequently asked questions