Equal Security Screening Mandatory for All at Airports Including VIPs and CIPs: Aviation Minister

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam has directed that aviation security regulations must be applied uniformly to all passengers, including VIPs and CIPs, asserting that no one will be exempt from security screenings at airports.

She made these remarks while presiding over the first meeting of the reconstituted National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) on Thursday. During the meeting, the minister urged the relevant authorities to swiftly implement the decisions adopted at the 13th meeting of the NCASC.

Highlighting the upcoming security audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the minister noted that the audit's outcome is closely tied to the nation's international image. She instructed all concerned agencies to ensure 100 percent compliance with ICAO standards in all potential areas of observation. Furthermore, she emphasized that ensuring quality passenger services, particularly for expatriate Bangladeshi citizens, remains a top priority for the government.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat informed the meeting that the government will install anti-drone systems to prevent unauthorized drone flights in airport areas. Noting that the NCASC meeting was held after nearly three years, he called upon all stakeholders to be sincere in effectively executing its decisions. He also directed law enforcement agencies to take strict legal action against violations of aviation security laws and stressed the necessity of maintaining surplus security equipment, including scanners, to ensure uninterrupted operations.

The meeting reviewed various measures to strengthen Bangladesh’s aviation security framework, including enhanced intelligence sharing among agencies, adherence to ICAO standards, the deployment of modern security technology, and strategic planning to tackle future security challenges. The committee emphasized bolstering security at the entry points of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, enhancing the effectiveness of Under Vehicle Scanning Systems (UVSS), and signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with relevant ministries and agencies to improve crisis management across all civil airports in the country.

Additionally, the committee recommended strengthening coordination among CAAB, the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Bangladesh Police, Ansar, and the airport magistrate to curb traffic congestion, unauthorized gatherings, panhandling, and illegal luggage-wrapping activities in the landside area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.