EU envoy calls for stronger Bangladesh–EU cooperation in civil aviation

European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller has underscored the potential for deeper Bangladesh-EU collaboration in the civil aviation sector, emphasising the need for a fair and competitive environment to unlock that potential.

Ambassador Miller stressed the "potential for greater EU-Bangladesh cooperation in civil aviation and the importance of a level playing field, underlining the EU's offer on fleet renewal, green
aviation, innovation, and safety, and the wish to see Bangladesh's aviation sector as a motor for economic growth."

Bangladesh and the European Union have strengthened their cooperation in civil aviation through two major technical events held in Dhaka on 23–24 November, where experts and officials from Europe and across South Asia gathered to exchange knowledge on safety management and regulatory oversight.

Organized under the EU-South Asia Aviation Partnership Project (EU-SA APP)—an EU-funded initiative implemented by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)—the activities combined a three-day Regional Aviation Safety Programme with a dedicated workshop on ICAO's Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

Both events highlighted the growing emphasis on collaboration in civil aviation between Europe and Bangladesh.

A regional look at safety data and culture

The three-day first module of the Regional Aviation Safety Programme focused on Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), two key components of modern aviation safety worldwide.

Participants included representatives from the EU, civil aviation authorities, airlines, and industry from several South Asian states, creating a broad platform for regional dialogue.

Experts from European regional aircraft manufacturer ATR shared technical insights and operational case studies, while South Asian operators and regulators exchanged experiences in areas such as data use, risk management, and safety culture.

For Bangladesh, hosting the event provided an opportunity to showcase its progress and exchange views with peers working in comparable operating environments, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka.

Regional cooperation on ICAO audit readiness

The second event, the USOAP Audit Support Workshop, brought together participants from Bangladesh and other EU-SA APP partner states to discuss approaches to ICAO's Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, the global mechanism used to assess how effectively countries oversee their civil aviation systems.

The workshop served as a platform for shared learning, allowing states to compare experiences, review documentation and oversight practices, and discuss strategies for maintaining continuous compliance with international standards.

CAAB officials, EASA experts, and representatives from neighboring states exchanged perspectives on audit preparation, evidence management, and regulatory challenges.

The collaborative nature of the discussions reflected a shared regional interest in strengthening oversight systems ahead of future ICAO assessments.

A partnership built on dialogue

Together, the two events demonstrate how cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh in aviation is evolving into a technical partnership grounded in dialogue and common priorities.

Bangladesh's active role in hosting and contributing to these sessions positions it as a committed partner in efforts to enhance regional aviation safety and oversight, said the Embassy.

The Head of Delegation of the European Union and the chairman of Bangladesh's Civil Aviation Authority joined the program.