National Civil Aviation Security meeting reviews aviation security ahead of ICAO audit
Dhaka: The 14th meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) was held on October 7 at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), with a focus on strengthening the country’s aviation security system ahead of an upcoming audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The meeting was chaired by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP. CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md. Asif Iqbal served as member secretary.
Representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, CAAB, National Board of Revenue, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Armed Forces Division, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Division, Bangladesh Police, and National Security Intelligence attended the meeting.
The NCASC serves as a national platform for coordinating aviation security policies and activities among ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for civil aviation security.
At the meeting, the progress in implementing decisions taken at the 13th NCASC meeting was reviewed, including strengthened security screening at airport entrances, the effectiveness of Under Vehicle Scanning Systems (UVSS), screening arrangements at VIP/CIP lounges, and security measures in airport landside areas.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the classification of high-risk cargo and mail (HRCM) originating from Bangladesh, measures to prevent unauthorized drone operations around airports, security stickers for holding luggage opened in the absence of passengers for security reasons, deployment of Bangladesh Air Force personnel under “Aid to Civil Power," and the treatment of mission-related individuals as VIP/CIP passengers.
The committee also discussed ensuring proper protocol during VIP/CIP immigration and preventing unauthorized access to VIP/CIP immigration zones.
A major focus was placed on establishing a unified command and control mechanism for civil aviation security. The meeting stressed effective coordination among agencies and stakeholders in line with ICAO Annex 17, existing national laws and regulations, and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).
The meeting also discussed the need to prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for law enforcement agencies responsible for landside security at airports. In light of ICAO Audit Protocol Question 3.277, the meeting stressed the importance of establishing SOPs and obtaining CAAB approval to ensure quality control in landside security operations.
Security arrangements for the CAT-2 Precision Approach Lighting System installed offshore as part of the expanded runway facilities at Cox’s Bazar Airport were also discussed.
