Anti-drone system planned for airports: Minister
The meeting discussed measures to strengthen the country’s civil aviation security framework
ATT Desk Report 
The government plans to introduce an anti-drone system at the country’s airports to strengthen aviation security and ensure compliance with international standards ahead of the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said on Thursday.
She made the announcement while chairing the first meeting of the reconstituted National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) in Dhaka.
The minister directed the authorities to expedite the implementation of decisions taken at the committee’s previous meeting, saying Bangladesh must ensure full compliance with ICAO security requirements as the audit is expected soon.
“The outcome of the ICAO audit is closely linked to the country’s international image. We must address every possible area of concern before the inspection,” she said.
Afroza also said airport security procedures must apply equally to everyone, including VIPs and Commercially Important Persons (CIPs), adding that improving passenger services, particularly for expatriate Bangladeshis, remains a key priority of the government.
State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said an anti-drone system would be installed to prevent unauthorised drone operations around airports. He also stressed the need to maintain an adequate supply of scanners and other security equipment and instructed law enforcement agencies to take firm action against any breach of aviation security.
The meeting discussed measures to strengthen the country’s civil aviation security framework, including greater intelligence sharing among agencies, effective implementation of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, adoption of modern screening technologies, review of existing security policies and preparation for emerging security threats.
The committee also emphasised tightening security at the entry points of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, improving the performance of the Under Vehicle Scanning System (UVSS), and signing memoranda of understanding with relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen contingency and crisis management at all civil airports.
