Bangladesh's civil aviation authority wrapped up a three-day workshop series today aimed at strengthening aviation security compliance among foreign airlines operating in the country as the nation prepares for an international audit later this year.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) organised the workshops from April 5 to 7 at its headquarters in Dhaka, bringing together representatives from 36 foreign airlines to guide them through the preparation of Supplementary Station Procedures (SSP)—a mandatory security document required for all foreign operators flying into or out of Bangladesh.

A total of 65 airline representatives attended the sessions, which walked participants through CAAB's model SSP framework, covering regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, and the submission and approval process, a CAAB press release said today.

Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal, CAAB's Member (Security), addressed the workshops as chief guest.

The keynote speaker was Mohammad Alamgir, Deputy Director and Chief AVSEC Inspector, who also holds ICAO auditor and instructor certifications. Other discussants included Director (AVSEC Policy and Certification) Iftekhar Jahan Hossain, Senior Consultant Group Captain (Retd.) Khan Shahinul Bari, and Security Officer Md Ariful Islam.

Asif Iqbal said, "Through the SSP, foreign airlines will find it easier to maintain internal quality standards, adhere to national regulations, and demonstrate compliance during audits by CAAB, ICAO, or relevant state authorities." 

The workshops come as Bangladesh braces for an audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) scheduled from October 26 to November 6, 2026 — the first such review since 2018. Officials noted that ICAO's requirements and operational frameworks have undergone considerable changes in the intervening years.

Under Bangladesh's National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), all foreign operators are legally required to prepare a written SSP for each station or airport where they operate and obtain CAAB approval before commencing or continuing services.

CAAB's Aviation Security (AVSEC) division developed a model SSP to simplify the process for foreign carriers, offering structured guidance on meeting national and international security standards.

The upcoming ICAO audit is a milestone not just for CAAB, but for Bangladesh's broader civil aviation sector—one that would reflect the country's standing and reputation in global aviation security.

Organisers expressed confidence that the collaborative spirit shown by participants would prove instrumental in ensuring effective implementation of civil aviation security standards across the board.