CAAB yet to make request for airport safety assessment for direct flights to US
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has not yet requested an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said the US Embassy in Dhaka in a statement issued on Thursday (13 June).
An IASA is required to meet safety standards for launching direct flights between Dhaka and New York.
The FAA attaché Daniel Jacob visited Bangladesh on 9–12 June and met the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) chairman and foreign ministry officials.
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The meetings continue the close cooperation needed to achieve Bangladesh's goal of US-Bangladesh direct flights.
"Bangladesh needs to achieve a 'Category 1' safety rating to make sure that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Biman Bangladesh Airlines meet relevant security requirements for direct flights," the US Embassy said in the statement quoting Jacob.
It said the category 1 rating requires international safety standards and recommended practices, such as personnel licensing, operation of aircraft, and airworthiness of aircraft, in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The FAA will carry out an International Aviation Safety Assessment before providing the Category 1 rating after it receives a request from the CAAB.
However, the CAAB has not yet made a request, the US Embassy statement said.
Once CAAB achieves the rating, the US Transportation Security Administration will also conduct a separate assessment before allowing direct flights between the two countries, according to the statement.
