Bangladesh's national civil aviation security committee has stressed tighter coordination among agencies and closer alignment with international standards as the country prepares for an upcoming audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said.

The 14th meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) was held on Wednesday at 3:00 pm at the chairman's secretariat in the CAAB headquarters, according to a CAAB press release.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat presided over the meeting. CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal served as member secretary.

Representatives of the civil aviation and tourism ministry, CAAB, the National Board of Revenue, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the Armed Forces Division, the Prime Minister's Office, the home ministry, the Posts and Telecommunications Division, Bangladesh Police and the National Security Intelligence attended.

The NCASC serves as a national platform for policy and operational coordination among ministries, departments and agencies involved in civil aviation security, the release said.

The meeting first reviewed progress on decisions made at the 13th NCASC meeting. These included stronger security checks at airport entrances, the performance of under-vehicle scanning systems, screening at VIP/CIP lounges, a memorandum of understanding among agencies for handling contingencies at airports, and security in landside areas.

It also reviewed the risk classification of cargo and mail originating in Bangladesh, measures against unauthorised drone flights near airports, the placing of security stickers on opened hold luggage when passengers are absent for security reasons, the deployment of Bangladesh Air Force personnel at airports in aid of civil power, and the treatment of mission-linked individuals as VIP/CIP.

Among the agenda items for the 14th meeting, the committee discussed ensuring proper protocol in VIP/CIP immigration operations and preventing unauthorised entry. It stressed maintaining official protocol and discipline in the VIP/CIP immigration zone and tightening control over entry by unauthorised persons.

The meeting also discussed unified command and control. Citing ICAO Annex 17, existing national laws and rules, and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, participants stressed the need for effective coordination among agencies and stakeholders. The meeting also highlighted the need for coordination at the airport level under CAAB ahead of the ICAO audit.

The committee further discussed standard operating procedures for law enforcement agencies responsible for landside security. In line with ICAO Audit Protocol Question 3.277, it stressed the need to draw up SOPs to ensure quality control by these agencies and to obtain CAAB approval.

The security of the CAT-2 precision approach lighting system, installed over the sea as part of the extended runway at Cox's Bazar Airport, was also discussed, with emphasis on coordination among the agencies concerned.

The meeting emphasised strengthening the country's civil aviation security system, improving coordination among agencies, and operating in line with ICAO security standards and guidance, the release said.