The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has received high international recognition after Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal and Sylhet’s Osmani airports earned exceptional security ratings from the UK Department for Transport. HSIA scored 93% overall and 100% in cargo measures, while OIA achieved 94% and 100%, respectively. The results mark a major milestone for Bangladesh’s aviation security, showcasing upgrades in infrastructure, equipment, and training since past restrictions in 2016. The recognition boosts confidence among global airlines, investors, and regulators.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has earned strong international recognition after both Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka and Osmani International Airport (OIA) in Sylhet achieved outstanding scores in a recent security evaluation conducted by the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport (DfT).
According to a CAAB press release issued today, the August assessment showed HSIA earning an overall score of 93% and a perfect 100% in the additional cargo security measures category, while OIA scored 94% overall with 100% in the same category.
The visiting DfT team commended CAAB’s preparedness and performance throughout the evaluation process.
The DfT conducts such overseas airport assessments to ensure that foreign airports operating flights to the United Kingdom uphold strict aviation security standards for both passengers and cargo.
Since 2017, the UK-Bangladesh inspection programme has been running with periodic follow-up reviews to verify adherence to these enhanced security measures.
CAAB described the results as a major milestone in Bangladesh’s aviation security journey, reflecting its alignment with international best practices.
The agency also recalled that in 2016, concerns over insufficient cargo screening had led the UK and the EU to impose restrictions on direct shipments from Dhaka, requiring goods to be re-screened in third countries — a costly and time-consuming process.
In response, CAAB and airport authorities have since upgraded infrastructure, enhanced equipment, and provided extensive training, introducing modern systems such as Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) and Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) for cargo operations.
Officials said the excellent assessment scores prove that Bangladesh has effectively addressed its previous shortcomings.
“This recognition from the UK confirms that our aviation and cargo security now meet international standards,” CAAB stated, adding that the achievement will strengthen confidence among foreign airlines, regulators, and investors while reducing the risk of future trade restrictions.