Bangladesh’s civil aviation regulator, the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), has achieved noteworthy results in an international airport safety assessment conducted by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT).

The assessment, carried out in August, placed Bangladesh’s airports among the best performers in the region.

As disclosed by the BCAA on 12 October 2025, the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka) recorded a score of 93 percent in overall evaluation and a perfect 100 percent in the additional security (cargo) assessment.

Meanwhile, the Osmani International Airport (Sylhet) achieved 94 percent overall and likewise 100 percent in the cargo security category.

According to the BCAA, the DfT Airport Assessment is a formal international security-audit system used by the UK government to evaluate passenger and cargo security standards at foreign airports and to review the implementation of additional security measures requested by the UK.

The assessment team, comprising UK-approved inspectors and security specialists, conducted on-site observations, policy reviews and security-procedure checks.

The BCAA says this strong performance carries significant national importance,  it reflects the strength and capability of Bangladesh’s aviation-security framework and supports overall national security.

Previously, in 2016, concerns about cargo-screening had led the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the UK to impose restrictions on cargo flights to and from Dhaka, forcing Bangladeshi exports to undergo extra screening via a third country, which caused delays and added costs.

Since then, the BCAA and airport authorities have modernised their systems, for instance introducing Explosive Detection Systems and employing explosive-detection dogs in export cargo screening from 2017 onward.

Going forward, the BCAA emphasises that it will not only maintain these achievements, but aims to raise Bangladesh up to the highest global aviation-security standards.

With these results, Bangladesh’s airports may reduce the risk of future restrictions, attract more foreign airlines and handling-partners, and thus support foreign investment, export growth and broader economic development.