News Content

Australia withdraws ban on air cargo, UK ban expected to be lifted soon

AUSTRALIA has withdrawn its ban on air cargo from Dhaka deciding that the Bangladesh government has made satisfactory progress in airport security.

Australia and Britain both imposed air cargo bans from Dhaka airport, much relied up by fashion exporters, after screening procedures were deemed to run from inadequate to non-existent.

"We received a letter from the Australian High Commission here. We have made significant progress on airport security that will also help us to get cargo ban withdrawn from the UK soon," said Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon.

But the Australians insist that cargo from Bangladesh has to be rescreened wherever it takes stopover on the way to Australia.

About the cargo ban to the UK, the minister said the UK validator has already visited here and he will submit a report on ACC3 (Air Carrier Carrying Cargo or Mail from Third Country Airport) to the UK, Department for Transport (DfT).

"If the report be good, the UK will withdraw its ban on direct cargo flight from Dhaka," he said.

Mr Menon said the ministry will send a delegation to the Heathrow International Airport of London soon to discuss on the matter.

"I am hopeful, the UK government will withdrawn its direct cargo flight ban from Bangladesh soon," he said.

Mr Menon said a separate safety zone at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) received status of RA3 (EU Aviation Security Validated Regulated Agent) on May 5.