Minister orders equal airport security checks for all.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam today said aviation security protocols must be applied equally to everyone including VIPs and CIPs, stressing that no one should be exempt from airport security procedures.
The minister made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of the reconstituted National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
She directed the authorities concerned to implement without delay the decisions taken at the committee's 13th meeting, the country's highest policymaking and coordinating body on civil aviation security.
Referring to Bangladesh's upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security audit, Afroza said the country's international image would be closely linked to the audit outcome and instructed all relevant agencies to ensure full compliance with ICAO standards in areas where observations may arise.
The minister said ensuring quality passenger service remains the government's priority and urged all stakeholders to work together to improve services, particularly for Bangladeshi expatriate travelers.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government would install an Anti-Drone System to prevent unauthorized drone operations around airport areas.
He noted that the NCASC meeting was held after nearly three years and said all stakeholders must ensure its effective implementation.
Millat also stressed the need to maintain security equipment, including scanners, in numbers exceeding minimum operational requirements to ensure uninterrupted security operations and instructed law enforcement agencies to take strict action against any violations of aviation security laws.
The meeting reviewed a wide range of measures to strengthen Bangladesh's civil aviation security regime, including enhanced intelligence sharing among agencies, effective implementation of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, compliance with ICAO security standards, deployment of modern security technologies, and strategic planning to address future security challenges.
The committee also stressed the need to strengthen security at the entry points of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), improve the effectiveness of the Under Vehicle Scanning System (UVSS), and sign memorandums of understanding with relevant ministries and agencies to enhance contingency planning and crisis management at all civil airports.
It further called for stronger coordination among CAAB, the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Bangladesh Police, Ansar, airport magistrates and other agencies to address traffic congestion, unauthorized gatherings, begging and illegal luggage-wrapping activities in the landside area of HSIA.
The committee recommended legal action where necessary to further improve passenger services, maintain discipline and strengthen overall airport security.
