DfT audit shows progress in Bangladesh airport security

Bangladesh’s airport security system has shown further improvement in the latest UK Department for Transport (DfT) audit, with Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport scoring 94% and Osmani International Airport 98%.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said the latest assessment also found 100% compliance in additional cargo security measures.

In the 2025 assessment, Shahjalal International Airport had scored 93% while Osmani International Airport received 94%, meaning their scores rose by one and four percentage points respectively within a year.

The DfT audit reviewed different aspects of aviation security at the two airports, including arrangements for passengers, cargo and mail, with particular focus on UK-bound traffic.

CAAB said the comparative results of the 2025 and 2026 assessments reflected continued improvement in the country’s aviation security system.

In cargo security, Bangladesh achieved full compliance in the Additional Measures Assessment, reflecting coordinated implementation of prescribed security requirements for cargo and mail transportation.

The authority said the latest DfT findings were an important indicator of Bangladesh’s growing aviation security capability and could help strengthen confidence among passengers, airlines, businesses, importers, exporters and other stakeholders.

The assessment is also significant against the backdrop of Bangladesh remaining under the European Union’s High Risk Cargo and Mail (HRCM) regime since 2017.

Under the regime, Europe-bound cargo and mail from Bangladesh are subject to additional security measures, resulting in extra processing time and costs.

Bangladesh has already raised the issue of withdrawing the HRCM-related restrictions with relevant authorities.

CAAB said the positive DfT findings and high cargo-security compliance could serve as supporting evidence of improvements in Bangladesh’s security arrangements, although withdrawal of HRCM status would depend on the relevant authorities’ own assessment and formal process.

The DfT audit results are also expected to support Bangladesh’s preparation for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Universal Security Audit Programme–Continuous Monitoring Approach (ICAO USAP-CMA) audit, scheduled for 26 October to 6 November 2026.

The upcoming ICAO audit is expected to assess aviation security management and implementation at CAAB headquarters, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Osmani International Airport.

CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal said coordinated efforts by the authority’s Aviation Security Division, airport authorities and other stakeholders played an important role in achieving the results.

He also credited the overall supervision of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, guidance of the CAAB chairman and cooperation among different CAAB departments for strengthening audit preparations and implementation of required security measures.