Frequent Power Cuts Disseminate Operations at Shah Amanat Airport

Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram is currently grappling with a severe electricity crisis, marked by frequent load-shedding that severely disrupts daily activities at the aviation hub. According to verified reports, the electricity supply failures are directly attributed to a broader gas crisis that has significantly crippled power generation across the region, impacting vital public and commercial infrastructure alike.

The scale of the power disruptions at the airport has reached alarming proportions, with electricity failing at least ten to twelve times every single day. This relentless pattern of outages plunges various sections of the facility into darkness repeatedly throughout the operating hours, causing widespread inconvenience to passengers, administrative personnel, and ground staff alike.

Addressing the gravity of the situation, an official from the airport acknowledged the crisis, stating that much like the rest of the country, the airport is experiencing noticeable load-shedding. The official confirmed that these continuous interruptions are exerting a visible and challenging impact on the routine, day-to-day functions of the international airport.

Providing technical details regarding the infrastructure response, authorities explained that the facility relies on its own backup systems when the primary grid fails. Specifically, the airport features two emergency supply lines from the Power Development Board (PDB). However, whenever power cuts occur, the airport's proprietary generators require approximately thirty to forty seconds to automatically engage and start supplying power.

During this critical interval of thirty to forty seconds, the airport temporarily goes dark, creating distinct visibility issues inside the terminals. Nevertheless, airport representatives have emphasized that critical flight operations remain protected against these delays because the machinery and equipment utilized for operational tasks are backed up separately by individual Instant Power Supplies (IPS).

Elaborating on this distinction, Ibrahim Khalil noted that while lighting encounters persistent problems during the blackout intervals, flight movement and associated operational activities avoid major complications due to the dedicated IPS backups. The underlying root cause, however, remains deeply entrenched in regional fuel deficits.

Data concerning the energy shortages in Chattogram reveal a staggering deficit that explains the vulnerability of the local power grid. While the area requires a daily supply of approximately 350 million cubic feet of gas to sustain adequate electricity generation, actual supply levels have plummeted drastically, dropping as low as 180 to 190 million cubic feet.