The government has decided in principle to separate the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) into two entities - regulatory and operational - to remove conflicts of interest and strengthen aviation safety, security and service standards.
According to a press release - issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) on Thursday, the CAAB has already been informed of the decision through an official letter on January 28.
The ministry said the CAAB has long been performing dual roles, acting as a regulator overseeing aviation safety and security, while simultaneously operating airports and providing air navigation services.
This overlapping responsibility has created conflicts of interest, particularly when regulatory decisions affect operational activities, the release said.
Audits conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have repeatedly underscored the need to separate regulatory and operational functions within the CAAB.
The issue was also highlighted in the findings of a probe committee, formed to investigate the fire at the import cargo complex of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on October 18 last year. The committee, led by the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, recommended separating the CAAB's roles as regulator and operator.
In line with these recommendations, the MoCAT said the government has taken a policy decision to establish distinct regulatory and operational bodies by restructuring the CAAB.
The release added that necessary laws and regulations would be enacted or amended shortly to form an independent operator entity responsible for airport management and air navigation services.
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