US audit team recommends improving safety measures

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Mashiur Rahaman
The visiting audit team of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the USA urged Biman and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to improve cargo screening facility and overall airport security, prior to resuming New York flights.
Following a two-day vigilance to Zia International Airport, its cargo handling facilities and surroundings, the four-member audit team has recommended improvement of safety measures according to American standards, a well-placed source within the aviation industry told the FE.
After completion of their tasks, the TSA team is expected to leave the country today (Thursday), the source added requesting anonymity.
TSA, a part of the US Department of Homeland Security that was created in the wake of 9/11, assumes responsibility for security at the nation's airports and has deployed a Federal workforce to meet Congressional deadlines for screening all commercial airline passengers and baggage.
TSA approval is vital to obtaining flight permission into American airspace from its Federal aviation authority that was delaying restoration of Biman's long-awaited Dhaka-New York flight, the source explained.
Calling TSA audit team's visit a big step forward to resume Biman's Dhaka-New York flights, Air Commodore (Retd) Muhammad Zakiul Islam, chief executive officer and managing director of the national flag carrier, expressed optimism.
"They have suggested improvement of our cargo screening facility, secured accessibility to aircraft and overall airport security," Zakiul Islam said.
"Their verbal reaction to our safety and security measures appears affirmative," he said adding that the TSA audit team has not issued any written statement yet.
He also assured to improve safety facilities as per American standards in sectors that the TSA team pointed at.
After almost three years of suspension, state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines declared to resume Dhaka-New York flights as its earliest to meet the demands of over 300,000 Bangladeshis who live in the USA.
As per its preparation, the national flag carrier took lease of two long-haul operation capable Boeing 777-200ERs from Lisbon-based Euro Atlantic Airways. The national passenger carrier has also obtained flight permission from British Civil Aviation Authority to operate the Dhaka-NY flights via Manchester.