The next March will mark the second anniversary of the imposition of ban by the United Kingdom (UK) on direct cargo flights from Hazrat Shahjalal airport. The UK move was followed by Germany and Australia and the situation worsened when European Union (EU) imposed restrictions on direct cargo flight from this airport.
These bans and restrictions seriously affected the export sector and triggered a huge concern among the exporters of the country.
The aviation ministry assured the exporters that all measures would be taken to resolve the crisis. Last November, a delegation led by the then aviation minister Rashed Khan Menon went to London to discuss the issue with the UK authorities. On his return, the minister said that the ban on direct cargo flights would go by December. But things did not go well. Except Australia, none has lifted the ban yet.
Last Sunday, the meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on Aviation ministry discussed the issue at length. After the discussion chairman of the committee Lt Col (Rtd) Faruk Khan told the media that the ban would be lifted within 15 days.
Now, the question is, has the government done enough to remove the obstacles for which the ban was imposed. The ban is linked to security, specially to the rising global terrorism.
The ban was imposed terming Bangladesh as a high-risk country in the wake of a string of militant activities. The countries imposing ban or restrictions on direct cargo flights from the airport demanded a foolproof security arrangement in the airport before lifting the ban.
Due to the ongoing restrictions air cargoes delivered by exporters from Dhaka airport need double checking and it pushes both the cost and lead time. According to the ready-made garments (RMG) entrepreneurs, the cargo ban is one of the reasons behind the RMG sector's failure to attain the growth target in recent times. The ban-imposing countries currently account for over 60 per cent of Bangladesh's RMG exports.
In line with their conditions, the aviation authorities have installed several sophisticated equipment in the airport including high-tech explosive detection system. Moreover, a security consultant firm, based in the UK, has been assigned to improve the security system in the airport. Bomb-detection dogs are deployed and the UK firm provided training to the concerned aviation officials in this regard.
Eight dual X-ray scanning machines for screening big baggage, 14 scanning machines for handbag screening, six liquid expulsive detection machines, nine under-vehicle scanning devices, five barrier gates with card reader machines and dog squad have been installed so far to strengthen the security features at the airport.
But despite taking all these measures, no positive response came from the concerned countries. The authorities now need to rethink the cargo security strategy.
Cargo security is a crucial factor in air cargo supply chain and it requires an effective collaboration between the regulators and industry.
Experts suggest a comprehensive strategy in line with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations that recommend a series of measures to ensure cargo security. The IATA recommendations include the standard introduction of the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) ahead of the arrival of goods, aiding processing and clearance of cargo; establishment of the Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) provides an audit trail of how, when and by whom cargo has been secured along the supply chain; introduction of the Cargo Security Capacity Building Programme so that air cargo is protected from unlawful interference across the whole supply chain.
When the ban came, the physical infrastructure for cargo handling at Shahjalal airport was very poor, the cargo handling area was insufficient and due to lack of space in the waiting area, many containers were kept under open sky. Though things have improved over the last several months, this is not enough to impress the stakeholders. The problems need to be addressed properly to ensure cargo security.
However, many feel that installation of some equipment is not enough. Integration with the global air cargo security concepts and requirements is also necessary.
Experts have been advocating for a move towards more intelligent aviation security through a coordinated response on cargo security. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has time and again urged security regulators around the world to work together to make the skies more secure by addressing the challenges related to cargo security and data collection.
According to IATA, the airlines and airports shouldn't be solely responsible for enforcing security measures. The job of security screening should be spread throughout the supply chain, beginning with manufacturers.
Bangladesh should devise a strategy for integration with the global air cargo security perceptions instead of concentrating on the development of physical security apparatus alone. The existing ban may be lifted but the country needs to take measures in such a way so that in future it can avoid any such restrictions from other countries.
