CAAB steps up preparations for DfT, ICAO audits, progress nears 80%

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has taken extensive preparations ahead of two major international audits aimed at strengthening the country's civil aviation security standards.

Around 75% to 80% of the overall preparations have already been completed ahead of audits by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), sources concerned said.

According to sources, the UK Department for Transport will conduct a security audit in Bangladesh from 14 to 17 July 2026.

The audit will mainly review security arrangements for UK-bound passengers and cargo from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Osmani International Airport.

Its main objective will be to assess the effectiveness of passenger, mail and cargo security measures in line with international standards.

The ICAO USAP-CMA — Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach — audit will be held from 26 October to 6 November 2026.

During the audit, ICAO experts will review security management and implementation activities at CAAB headquarters, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Osmani International Airport.

Sources said the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is closely monitoring the preparations, giving the highest priority to the two international audits.

The civil aviation and tourism minister and state minister are regularly reviewing progress and providing necessary directives.

Coordination meetings are also being held at the ministry at regular intervals to review progress and decide on further steps.

Preparation for the ICAO audit began in November last year.

Three high-level committees have been formed to oversee work on nine key security areas. The committees are regularly conducting reviews, gap analyses and making recommendations so that shortcomings can be addressed quickly in line with international standards.

As part of the preparations, monthly progress review meetings are being held under the leadership of CAAB's member for security.

In addition, coordination meetings chaired by the CAAB chairman are being held every two months with all relevant agencies to assess progress, identify existing challenges and issue necessary directives.

Officials concerned said around 75% to 80% of the overall preparations have been completed so far, with a target to finish the remaining work by 15 August.

Factory Acceptance Tests for modern security equipment, including advanced X-ray machines and scanners, have already been completed successfully.

The equipment is expected to arrive in Bangladesh in August and is planned to be made operational in phases by 1 September.

Ahead of the international audits, CAAB will conduct a pre-audit in the first week of October on its own initiative to assess its preparations more precisely.

The pre-audit will help identify possible weaknesses and allow corrective measures to be taken.

According to CAAB sources, Bangladesh scored 68.55% in the 2018 ICAO security audit, against an international benchmark of 65%.

This time, the target is to achieve a score of more than 75%.

In the last DfT audit, Bangladesh scored 100% in cargo security and around 93% to 94% in passenger security, according to the sources.

Officials concerned believe Bangladesh will be able to achieve better results in the upcoming DfT and ICAO audits because of the ongoing preparations, addition of modern security equipment and regular high-level monitoring.

They said the audits are expected to further strengthen the international acceptability of Bangladesh's airports and consolidate the country's position in the global aviation security system.