UK restriction on cargo carrying on direct flights ‘unexpected’
Dhaka: Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has described ‘unexpected’ the British government’s restriction on cargo carrying on direct flights from Dhaka to London.
The reaction came from an urgent evaluation meeting held at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon in the chair.
British High Commission in Dhaka found steps taken (on airport security) satisfactory. Under the circumstances, such temporary embargo is unexpected, said a Civil Aviation Ministry release issued after the emergency meeting.
Minister Menon and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury will perform their duties for a particular period each day at the Dhaka International Airport to ‘expedite’ the joint efforts for improving security measures at the airport, the meeting decided.
The current situation over the airport security measures, including temporary embargo imposed by the UK on cargo carrying from Dhaka, were evaluated at the meeting.
Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice MarshalM Sanaul Huq was also present at the meeting.
As part of a ‘set of interim measures’, the British government has restricted cargo on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK until further notice.
Recent security assessments of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport found that some international security requirements were not being met, the UK government said in a notice issued on 8 March.
Airlines carrying cargo between Bangladesh and the UK on indirect routes are being asked to ensure it is re-screened before its final leg into the UK, according to UK Department for Transport.
On Wednesday, Menon said the government will be able to fulfill the security requirements by this month.
‘There has been improvement, but they want to see sustainable improvement. We hope, we’ll make it sure by this month,’ he told United News of Bangladesh over phone.
The UK government is working with the government of Bangladesh to support them in improving standards for all aspects of aviation security.
Earlier, Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved a project worth Tk 90 crore to purchase modern ground handling equipments as per the directives given by the British authorities.