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Lufthansa checks out Dhaka airport after Berlin bans Bangladesh cargo

LUFTHANSA security has arrived in Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to inspect air cargo security arrangements after Berlin banned cargo ban on direct flights from Dhaka to any airport in Germany.

A huge volume of exports to Germany will be hampered, reports the Dhaka Tribune. Industry insiders said Bangladesh exports US$5 billion worth of goods to Germany annually.

But German ambassador Thomas Prinz said the cargo ban won't affect ready made garment (RMG) exports to Germany because most go out by sea.

"I do not think that the ban will affect garment exports as they are sent from Chittagong harbour by ships," said Mr Prinz.

But it is widely reported that Chittagong continues to battle severe congestion. IHS Media reported that shipper and shipping lines are struggling to cope with heavy congestion at Chittagong, the country's main gateway port.

This puts further pressure on the country's export market while Lufthansa was forced to leave up to 60 tons of garments in Dhaka, and the exporters had to take the shipments back.

Lufthansa is the only carrier who operates direct cargo flight from Dhaka. Curiously Ministry of Civil Aviation appeared not be aware of the Lufthansa visit, an official told the Dhaka Tribune.

Earlier, an aviation expert team of Germany arrived in Dhaka to conduct the validation under the regulations of the European Union.

When contacted, Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon told the newspaper that they are not aware of this imposition as the Federal Aviation Authority of Germany did not inform them.

According to the Federal Aviation Authority of Germany, cargo flights from Dhaka to Germany must be rescreened through any third-country.

The UK on March 8 imposed a ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka citing security. London also warned that direct Biman flights on Dhaka-London route will be banned unless there is visible improvement in security situation by March 31.

Australia also banned Dhaka airport cargo, but has lifted it on May 5, once satisfied with improvements to security arrangements.

In March, Bangladesh's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) awarded a two-year, US$9.34 million contract to UK security firm Redline Aviation Security to upgrade systems and procedures.

Redline said it would send a 40-strong team to man screening points at the air cargo complex and train local staff. Clearly, however, any improvements did not come fast enough for Germany. Redline was unavailable for comment, said London's Loadstar.