Tourism minister to attend office at Dhaka airport

The minister and secretary to the civil aviation and tourism ministry will attend office at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to implement a work plan for fulfilling international standard security at the airport by March 31.

Minister Rashed Khan Menon and Secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury will continue office there until March 31 to implement the plan, a civil aviation official, seeking anonymity, said.

The decision was made in an emergency meeting held at the Dhaka airport today, the official added.

Civil Aviation Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Sanaul Haque, acting managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Asaduzzaman and high officials of the ministry attended the meeting with Menon in the chair.

Following recommendation from security experts and the aviation team, the minister said overall security in and around Dhaka airport is being reorganised to implement the plan, the official informed.

The United Kingdom may suspend passenger flights from Dhaka, if the overall security at Dhaka airport is not improved by the timeframe, he added.

A specialised team has been formed to modernise the airport, the official said.

The UK government has already suspended direct cargo flights from Dhaka citing inadequate security measures at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.