CAAB pledges to ensure aviation safety amid recent crashes
Dhaka : The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is taking every possible measure to ensure the highest standards of safety in the country's airspace.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan reiterated this during a discussion session on "Recent Aviation Disasters and Our Team Effort" held at the CAAB headquarters in the capital on January 8.
CAAB organized the workshop, the first of its kind in recent years, in response to recent aviation disasters, including the deadly Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea on December 29, which claimed 179 lives.
"After witnessing tragic aviation disasters, one after another, in the last week of 2024, we are reminded about the importance of being vigilant on the impending risks that await us every day," said the CAAB Chairman.
"We understand the concerns and anxieties of the public, and I would like to assure you that every possible step is being taken to ensure the highest standards of safety in our airspace," stressed Bhuiyan.
He urged airlines to foster a "just culture" to facilitate the implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS).
"Aviation safety is of paramount importance to us, and we note that in a fast-growing aviation industry, the importance of mitigating aviation risks is becoming even more challenging," he claimed.
The chairman emphasized that safety risks must be addressed proactively to ensure the industry's expansion is carefully managed and supported through strategic regulation and infrastructure.
"We are sure that our combined efforts will have a positive impact on achieving a clear consensus on Zero Fatalities in commercial operations by 2030 and beyond, in line with the ICAO Global Aspirational Safety Goal," he mentioned.
As the Accountable Executive of the State Safety Programme (SSP), he encouraged all stakeholders to report any safety incident without fear, enabling the authority to take proactive measures.
At the discussion, top safety officials from the country's four local airlines-Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, NOVOAIR, and Air Astra-expressed concerns over the persistent bird strike hazard at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
Bird strikes, especially during take-offs and landings, can lead to engine failure and catastrophic accidents, airlines safety officials highlighted during the workshop.
Airline safety officials also raised concerns about low visibility at HSIA during winter, which often disrupts operations due to dense fog. To address this issue, they recommended upgrading the airport's Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) from Category 1 to Category 2.
Earlier, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) claimed to that it is enhancing the flight landing capacity at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
