High-powered committee formed to improve airport security

If Bangladesh fails to meet the UK’s requirements on cargo facilities and airport security by March 31, the UK may impose a ban on passenger aircraft from Bangladesh

The government has formed a high-powered seven-member committee for the improvement of overall security management and development of cargo complex facilities at the Shahjalal International Airport.

The team was formed at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon in the chair.

The British government on March 10 put an embargo on direct cargo flights from Dhaka on grounds of security concern.

The Biman is the lone ground handling operator at the Dhaka airport.

British High Commissioner to Dhaka Alison Blake, Prime Minister’s Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Tareq Ahmed Siddiqui, Home Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan, Foreign Secretary Shohidul Haque, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Civil Aviation Secretary Khurshed Alam Chowdhury, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal Sanaul Huq, Biman’s acting managing director Asaduzzaman participated in the meeting.

They are all members of the high-powered committee, which will hold another meeting on March 20 to review the standard of aviation security at the airport.

Sources at the meeting told the Dhaka Tribune that they recommended improvement of security management and major overhauling of cargo complex on short-, mid- and long-term basis.

If Bangladesh fails to meet the UK’s requirements on cargo facilities and airport security by March 31, the UK may impose a ban on passenger aircraft from Bangladesh.

After this sanction on cargo, the state-run Biman is losing around Tk50 lakh per flight. Biman earns Tk100cr from cargo flights yearly.

ACC3 audit team at Dhaka

European Union Aviation Security staff Denis O’Sullivan has started to audit the Shahjalal International Airport cargo management.

Since July 2014, carrier stations in third countries are required to have undergone an audit to obtain an EU Aviation Security Validation in order to acquire or maintain their ACC3 (Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport) designation.

This validation needs to be reissued every five years, according to the EU regulation.

O’Sullivan arrived in Dhaka Saturday morning and will stay until March 16. He will inspect the cargo complex and two terminals of the Shahjalal International Airport.

In February, the ACC3 team gave some suggestions for the improvement of cargo facilities and security.

O’Sullivan will physically inspect cargo village to observe if any outsiders are staying inside the cargo village. The audit would evaluate efficiency of security machine operators.

The one-member team would certify the ACC3 of Biman and Regulations Agent 3 (RA) audit. The certification is necessary to provide cargo service and ground handling services for Biman. The two certification dates expired on December 31.

Later, the EU extended its validity for three months on condition. Without this certification, no one will be able to provide cargo services even in any alternative way.

Meanwhile, Air Vice Marshal Ahsanul Goni Chowdhury has been appointed the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh replacing Air Vice Marshal Sanaul Huq.

The Public Administration Ministry issued an order yesterday in this regard.

The government appointed the new chairman following the British government’s March 10 embargo on direct cargo flights from Dhaka.
– See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/mar/14/high-powered-committee-formed-improve-airport-security#sthash.5Rl8H54X.dpuf