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Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afrooza Khanam has directed authorities to subject all passengers, including VIPs and CIPs, to the same security screening at the country’s airports, saying no one will be exempt from aviation security checks.
The directive was issued on Thursday at the first meeting of the reconstituted National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCSC) at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.
The minister said strict compliance with international aviation security standards is essential ahead of the upcoming security audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), noting that the inspection is closely linked to Bangladesh’s international reputation.
She instructed all relevant agencies to ensure full implementation of ICAO’s prescribed security measures in areas likely to come under scrutiny.
Afrooza Khanam also stressed that ensuring safe and quality passenger services remains a government priority, calling for better coordination among agencies to improve services for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is planning to install anti-drone systems to prevent unauthorised drone activity around airports. He also directed authorities to maintain additional scanners and security equipment to ensure uninterrupted screening operations.
The meeting adopted several measures to strengthen aviation security, including enhanced intelligence sharing among agencies, effective implementation of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, wider use of modern security technologies, and strategic planning to address future security threats.
The committee also emphasised strengthening security at the entrance of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, improving the effectiveness of Under Vehicle Scanning Systems (UVSS), and signing memorandums of understanding among relevant agencies at all civil airports to improve emergency response.
It further recommended stronger coordination among CAAB, the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Bangladesh Police, Ansar and airport magistrates to eliminate traffic congestion, unauthorised gatherings, begging and illegal baggage-wrapping services in airport landside areas, while ensuring better passenger services, discipline and overall security.