Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon has decided to act "without delay" to implement the UK suggested sustainable action plan to ensure proper security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
The minister said: “From now on, I will regularly monitor the security situation and will take immediate step for implementing the action plan suggested by the British authorities on the security measures at the Dhaka airport.”
He came up with the statement while addressing a meeting held at the airport on Thursday, two days after the British government slapped a temporary embargo on direct air cargo shipment from Dhaka to London.
UK's Department for Transport in a post on Tuesday said a recent security assessment found that Dhaka airport was yet to meet some international security requirements.
“As part of a set of interim measures, cargo will not be allowed on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK until further notice,” it read.
Also Read: London asks Dhaka to improve airport security
The British authorities also informed the Bangladesh government that unless there is visible improvement in security situation by March 31, the direct flight of Biman between Dhaka and London will be banned.
British Prime Minister David Cameron in a letter to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday stated that an improvement plan must be developed and delivered by March 31 to avoid further measure like banning of direct air cargo shipment from Dhaka to London.
During the meeting, the minister also evaluated the previous measures taken in order to ensure the security of the airport, said meeting sources.
An official who was attending the meeting said the Bangladesh government is rearranging the total security system while a dedicated security team has been formed in order to ensure airport security.
In the meantime, Executive committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a project worth TK90 crore to purchase modern ground handling equipments as per the directives given by the British authorities.
Earlier in January, the British authorities have expressed concerns about the vulnerable security situation at Shahjalal Airport, and has asked Dhaka to improve its conditions.
The security situation at airports around the world heightened after a bomb exploded inside a Russian plane in Egypt in October, 2015.
Jon Lovsey, regional liaison officer for Aviation Safety for Asia-Pacific region, came in November last year and submitted his first report where he mentioned about security lapses for passenger movement.
Lovsey again visited Dhaka in mid-December and submitted the second report where security lapses in cargo handling system were highlighted.
The US and Australia also endorsed the British reports and acted accordingly. Australia suspended cargo movement from Bangladesh after the first British report in December.