CAAB rejects reports of security risks at Dhaka airport

Dhaka: The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has rejected recent media reports suggesting major security risks at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over vehicle movement in the airside area and the absence of a vehicle tracking system (VTS).

In a press release issued on October 29, CAAB said the reports had misleadingly portrayed a technical issue related to aviation safety as a broader airport security concern, which did not accurately reflect the actual situation.

The authority said the introduction of a VTS was an initiative to strengthen operational safety rather than address any security lapse.

CAAB said the airport's airside was a restricted and controlled area where vehicles could not enter or move freely. All authorized vehicles were required to comply with prescribed safety regulations.

Access to controlled areas around the runway and taxiways also required communication with and permission from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, it added.

The authority's statement comes as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is conducting an audit of Bangladesh's civil aviation sector.

CAAB expressed concern that portraying a technical improvement initiative as a major airport security crisis could create a misleading impression of Bangladesh's aviation sector internationally, particularly during the ongoing audit.

It urged media outlets to verify technical information and distinguish between aviation safety and aviation security when reporting on sensitive issues concerning the country's aviation sector.

While welcoming constructive criticism and objective reporting, CAAB said incomplete or misleading information about critical national infrastructure could cause unnecessary public confusion and damage the country's international image.

The authority called on the media to maintain accuracy and professional responsibility while reporting on aviation-related matters.