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Monday | September 21, 2026 | Dhaka

Security gains strengthen aviation outlook

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:56 AM, 21 September 2026

Improved aviation security compliance at Bangladesh’s two key international airports is strengthening prospects for smoother passenger movement and more efficient cargo operations, with a UK assessment recording higher scores at both Dhaka and Sylhet.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) scored 94 per cent and Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport (OIA) 98 per cent in the latest security assessment by the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport (DfT), according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

The improved performance comes at a time when Bangladesh is seeking to reduce additional security requirements that have increased processing time and costs for Europe-bound cargo and mail since 2017.

HSIA’s score rose from 93 per cent last year, while OIA’s increased sharply from 94 per cent to 98 per cent, CAAB said in a press release on Sunday.

Cargo security also retained 100 per cent compliance under the Additional Measures Assessment.

For passengers, stronger compliance with international security standards could support more consistent security procedures and smoother airport processing, while for airlines and cargo operators it could help improve operational efficiency and reduce security-related complications.

The DfT assessment placed particular emphasis on security arrangements for UK-bound passengers and cargo. It reviewed passenger, cargo and mail security measures at the two airports.

The findings are also relevant to Bangladesh’s efforts to address the European Union’s High Risk Cargo and Mail (HRCM) requirements.

Bangladesh has remained under the additional security regime since 2017, subjecting Europe-bound cargo and mail to extra procedures, processing requirements and costs.

CAAB said the latest DfT findings, coupled with 100 per cent compliance in cargo security, could be viewed as supporting evidence of improvements in Bangladesh’s aviation security arrangements.

Any decision to remove Bangladesh from the HRCM regime, however, would depend on the relevant authorities’ own risk assessment and formal procedures, CAAB said.

The issue has wider implications for Bangladesh’s aviation and trade sectors because additional security measures can affect cargo handling time and operating costs for exporters and logistics companies serving European markets.

The latest assessment also comes ahead of an important audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) under its Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach.

The ICAO audit is scheduled for October 26 to November 6 and is expected to examine aviation security management and implementation at CAAB headquarters, HSIA and OIA.

CAAB said preparations for the DfT assessment, together with observations made during the review, would help identify areas requiring further improvement before the ICAO audit.

The two assessments come as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen the credibility of its aviation security system, improve the passenger experience and reduce barriers affecting international cargo operations.

While the improved DfT scores point to higher compliance at the two airports, the forthcoming ICAO audit will provide a broader assessment of the country’s aviation security management and implementation.