Chattogram:The government is planning to transform Shah Amanat International Airport into a regional aviation hub by 2035, with an estimated investment of $300 million aimed at expanding infrastructure, cargo handling, and international air connectivity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chittagong Regional Air Hub Project will extend the airport's runway from 2,940 meters to 3,600 meters in phases, along with the construction of a parallel taxiway and a rapid-exit taxiway. The project also involves adding 11 parking stands for narrow-body aircraft and eight for wide-body aircraft.
The airport's annual passenger-handling capacity is projected to increase from five million to between eight million and 10 million. The number of boarding bridges will rise from two to six, accommodating wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and 787 and the Airbus A330 and A350. A new transit center and cargo village are planned, with the cargo facility initially handling 75,000 to 100,000 tonnes annually.
The government will contribute $75 million to the project, while the Economic Relations Division has sought a loan or financial assistance of around $175 million from the Asian Development Bank. Additional funding of $30 million to $50 million may be secured through public-private partnerships for developing nearby commercial facilities.
This initiative aims to enhance trade and investment by improving access to regional markets in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China. The upgraded airport could support direct exports of perishable agricultural products and reduce travel time for investors and entrepreneurs.
Local business leaders, including Mohammad Amirul Haque, president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasize the importance of swift implementation to boost local trade and the national economy. The project is expected to facilitate better connectivity for foreign buyers in the ready-made garment sector and lower the cost of importing raw materials.
Despite its international designation, the airport currently serves mainly routes to the Middle East, with discontinued direct services to certain Asian destinations. The airport handled 977,000 international passengers in 2023, highlighting the need for expansion to fulfill its potential as a regional hub.