Bangladesh Airports Additional Information
Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) functions as the regulatory body for all aviation related
activities in Bangladesh. It is also the aeronautical service provider and is responsible for safe,
expeditious and efficient flow of air traffic within the Flight Information Region (FIR) bounded by the
International geographic boundary of Bangladesh. This organization is the custodian of all airfields
and allied facilities including air navigation facilities.
Aviation activities in independent Bangladesh started in the last week of December 1971. Over the
years the infrastructure and facilities were developed. At present, aviation activities are being carried
out from 3 international and 5 domestic airports, about 17 air lines are now operating in and out of the
country; about 43 States signed bilateral agreements with Bangladesh.
FUNCTIONS
CAAB is a Public Service Enterprise and a Regulatory Body. As a Regulatory Body it implements the
rules, regulations and directives of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the
standards and recommendations thereon of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As per
provisions laid down in Civil Aviation Ordinance 1960 and Civil Aviation Rules 1984, this organization
acts as the Aeronautical Authority of Bangladesh and discharges the duties and responsibilities as
laid down by ICAO
FLIGHT SAFETY AND REGULATION
1. Registration of aircraft: CAAB maintains register for all Bangladesh aircraft. Such registration is a
prerequisite for a Bangladesh aircraft to start operations.
2. Certification of Air-worthiness: In order to ensure flight safety, airworthiness of aircraft must be
ensured first. An aircraft can be regarded as airworthy if it and its components conform with design
standards, are of approved type and are in sound operational condition. CAAB regularly inspects the
aircrafts registered in Bangladesh and issues/renews certificate of airworthiness for the worthy
aircrafts, and suspends/cancels such certificate of unworthy ones. Without such certificate no aircraft
should attempt to fly. In relation to such certification, CAAB also continuously monitors all
maintenance activities with Bangladesh aircrafts, approves certificate for aircraft type and certificate
for maintenance establishments, issues directions regarding maintenance, approves design
modification, repair and replacement of any component.
3. Personnel Licensing: Each personnel responsible for flight operations on board – pilot, navigator,
flight engineer, flight instructor, air traffic controller etc. – and aircraft maintenance engineer on ground
should have appropriate license proving his ability and skill before he engages himself in respective
job. CAAB tests and issues/renews licenses to the successful applicants. No member of the aircrew
and no maintenance engineer should engage in flying operations and participate in maintenance
works respectively without such license.
4. Bi-lateral Agreements: CAAB examines documents submitted by other countries in regard to
bilateral Air Services Agreements, negotiations and prepares brief for the Government. Any foreign
airline intending to operate scheduled flights in the country must be designated pursuant to such
Government level agreements.
5. Air Transport Service Authorization: CAAB issues/cancels license for Bangladeshi enterprises of air
transport services, and approves, revises if required, tariff including fares, rates, charges,
commissions, and terms and conditions associated with their business.
AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES
6. CAAB provides air traffic control service to each aircraft flying in the national airspace and moving
on maneuvering areas of Bangladesh aerodromes in order to prevent collisions, and to maintain
expedite and orderly flow of air traffic.
7. CAAB establishes air routes, and flying, approaching and landing procedures for each route and
aerodrome belonging to the country.
8. CAAB makes all necessary arrangements for search and rescue operations in case of accident or
missing of any aircraft, and conducts investigations against accidents and unwanted incidents related
to aircrafts.
COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION
9. CAAB makes provisions for facilities and services for aeronautical telecommunications and air
navigation in order to ensure safety, regularity and efficiency of aircraft operation.
AIRPORT AND ANTI-HIJACK SECURITY
10. CAAB makes all necessary arrangements in order to ensure security to passengers and
aerodromes, and to detect, prevent penetration of terrorist activists on board from within national
territory.
FACILITATION OF PASSENGERS
11. CAAB makes all necessary arrangements to establish and maintain all passenger services and
facilities at the terminal of Bangladesh airports. Arrangements for facilities, such as flight information,
public address, entertainments, comfortable room and environment for passengers and their
attendants are all accomplished by CAAB.
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIRPORTS
12. CAAB constructs, maintains and develops airports, aerodromes whenever and wherever are
required in order to expand the aviation infrastructure and air transportation network in the country.
13. CAAB also provides operational accommodation to other organizations and agencies like airlines,
Customs, Immigration, Meteorology, Health, Police etc. at the airports.
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
14. CAAB studies, evaluates and plans for development of the aviation infrastructure within the
country considering necessity and budget. It also maintains liaison with regional partners and ICAO in
relation to future development programs masterminded by ICAO.
15. CAAB takes all necessary steps for training of its operational officers and employees both in
country and abroad. It has already established the Civil Aviation Training Centre at Dhaka
Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft
The provisions detailed here under are related to non-emergency periods. There are, apparently, no
specific and detailed provisions for emergency relief operations. Nevertheless, as soon as an
emergency state is declared by the authorities, specific procedures for international relief cargo will be
edited and implemented.
 Entry
All flights into, from or over the territory of Bangladesh and landings in Bangladesh territory shall be
carried out in accordance with the permission received from Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority and in
accordance with the national regulations.
Aircraft landing in or departing from the territory of Bangladesh must first land at or finally depart from
an International Airport.
The Aircraft, after landing at airport shall not proceed further unless the pilot in command has
obtained necessary customs and other clearances in writing from officer of such organization as duly
authorized by the Government.
No aircraft, including aircraft engaged in a scheduled air transport service, shall make flights into or in
transit across the territory of Bangladesh except in accordance with the above conditions.
 Scheduled Flights
For operation of regular international scheduled flights operated by foreign airlines into or in transit
across Bangladesh, the following requirements must be met:
a. The state of the airline must be a party either to the International Air Services Transit Agreement,
1944 or a party to bilateral air transport agreement with the Bangladesh Government or must obtain
special permission under a bilateral agreement or arrangement.
b. The airline must be eligible to make the flights under the provisions of a bilateral or multilateral
agreement to which the state of the airline and Bangladesh are contracting parties and must have a
permit to operate into or in transit across Bangladesh airspace. Applications for such permits shall be
submitted to the Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority, Kurmitola, Dhaka-1229 well in advance.
c. Aircraft belonging to or operated for or on behalf of the Government of South Africa, Israel and
Taiwan are debarred from flying into or in transit across the territory of Bangladesh.
 Non-scheduled Flights
If an operator intends to perform a (series of) non-scheduled flight(s) into Bangladesh for the purpose
of taking on or discharging passenger, cargo or mail, he shall apply in writing to the Chairman, Civil
Aviation Authority, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Kurmitola, Dhaka-1229 and
obtain prior approval to carry out such operations not less that 15 (fifteen) working days in advance of
the intended landing.
The application must include the following information in the order shown hereunder:
(a) Name, address and nationality of operator of aircraft.
(b) Type of aircraft, Nationality and Registration Marks of the aircraft.
(c) Call sign of aircraft
(d) Date and time of arrival at, and departure from Bangladesh.
(e) Place or places of embarkation or disembarkation abroad as the case may be of passengers
and/or freight.
(f) Purpose of flight and details of passengers and/or nature and amount of freight.
(g) Name, address and business of charterer, if any.
(h) Route to be flown.
(i) Such other information as may be required by the Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority.
 Charter Flights
If an operator intends to perform a (series of) non-scheduled flight(s) for the purpose of taking on or
discharging passengers, cargo or mail in Bangladesh to/from a place outside Bangladesh, he shall
apply to and obtain prior approval from the Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority for the exercise of such
traffic rights. The application must contain the particulars specified for non-scheduled flights.
No passenger or freight flights originating in Bangladesh for a place outside Bangladesh may be
picked up unless the charter/or hire of the whole or part of the space on such aircraft, if considered to
have been arranged through the agency of National Operator, and with the prior consent of the
Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.
Charter flight(s) by Foreign Operators may be permitted provided the Charterer along with the
application produces a declaration from the National Carrier stating that they (National Carrier) are not
in a position to meet the requirement of the Charterer.
No advertisement in respect of such flights soliciting booking of traffic or purporting to notify
availability of space in aircraft shall be made in any manner whatsoever, either by the person or the
operator.
Charter Flights by foreign operators not exercising traffic rights when transiting through Bangladesh
Subject to the observance of the terms of the Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944,
application must be made at least 3 working days before the intended flight, and obtain prior
permission from the Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh for fall aircraft of the Contracting
states of the above-mentioned convention desiring to carry out non-scheduled flight into, or in transit
non-stop across Bangladesh and to make stops for non-traffic purposes in Bangladesh. The
application must contain the following particulars in the order shown hereunder:
a. Name, address and nationality of aircraft operator.
b. Type, Nationality and Registration marks of the aircraft
c. Date and time of arrival at, and departure from Bangladesh.
d. Purpose of flight and details of passengers and/or nature and amount of freight.
e. Name, address and business of charterer, if any.
f. Route to be flow.
 Flights of State Aircraft
If a State intends to perform a (Series of) non-schedule flight(s) into Bangladesh to operate military
aircraft, it shall apply to the Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Affairs, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(Telegraphic Address- (PARARASTRA DHAKA) for permission to carry out such operation not less
than 15(fifteen) working days in advance of the intended landing. The application must include the
following information in the order shown hereunder:
a. Name of operator,
b. Type of aircraft and registration marks.
c. Date and time of arrivals at, and departure from Bangladesh.
d. Place or places of embarkation or disembarkation of passengers and/or freight, etc.
e. purpose of flight and number of passengers and/or nature and amount of freight.
f. Route of flight.
g. A certificate to the effect that " No war-like materials, such as arms, ammunition, explosives (except
escape/aid explosives), pyrotechnics (except very pistol signal cartridges) nuclear fissionable
materials, ABC gases, photographic equipment and materials (whether installed or
h. not electronic devices other than required for normal operation of the aircraft, are being carried by
the aircraft.
 Documentary requirements for clearance of aircraft
It is necessary that the under mentioned aircraft documents be submitted by airline operators for
clearance on entry and departure of their aircraft to and from Bangladesh. All documents listed below
must follow the ICAO standard format as set forth in the relevant appendices to Annex 9 and are
acceptable when furnished in English and completed in legible handwriting.
Aircraft documents required for arrival and departure:
Required by
General
Declaration
Passenger
Manifest
Cargo
Manifest
Customs Officer
1
2
1
Immigration Officer
1
1
-
Airport Health Officer
2
1
-
Plant Quarantine
Officer
1*
1*
1*
* For arriving aircraft only
Notes:
a. One copy of the General Declaration is endorsed and returned by Customs, Signifying clearances.
b. If no passengers are embarking (disembarking) and no articles are laded (unladed), no aircraft
documents except copies of the General declaration need be submitted to the above authorities.
 Public health measures applied to aircraft
All International Travelers coming to Bangladesh from yellow fever zone or in transit through yellow
fever zone must possess a valid International Certificate of yellow fever vaccination. There will not be
any exception for age, sex and status.
Yellow Fever: The vaccine used must be approved by the WHO and the vaccination centre must be
notified by the WHO. Yellow fever epidemic zones of Africa and South America are given below:
AFRICA: Angola, Benin Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial
Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia,
Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, Sudan (South of 15 N), Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of
Tanzania, Upper Volta, Zaire, Zambia.
SOUTH AMERICA: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana,
Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, Tobago and
Venezuela,
Note: When a case of yellow fever is reported from any Country, that country is regarded by the
Government of Bangladesh as infected with yellow fever and is added to the above list.
In case any traveler fails to produce such valid certificate he will either not be permitted to enter
Bangladesh or will be isolated till he is considered free from infection by local Health Administration. A
simplified E/D-cum Health Card is to be filled in by an arriving passenger of all categories.
Desensitization of aircraft in flight is not acceptable. However, spraying on the ground is not required
provided a "Desensitization Certificate" from the place of origin is carried on the aircraft.
Aircraft and aircrew engaged on non-scheduled flights to Bangladesh shall comply with the
requirements of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago, 1944) and the national
regulations in force in Bangladesh.
 Cabotage Carriage
No passenger or freight originating at a point in Bangladesh and destined for another point in
Bangladesh may be picked up by a foreign operator.
If an operator intends to perform a (series of) non-scheduled flight(s) originating at a point in
Bangladesh and destined for another point in Bangladesh for the purpose fo taking or discharging
passengers, cargo or mail, he shall have to provide satisfactory evidence that no Bangladesh
registered operator is in a position to carry the passengers or freight available between the two points
in Bangladesh. Thereafter, he shall apply to the Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority for permission to
carry out such charter flights.
 Other Commercial Flights
If an operator intends to perform a (series of) non-scheduled commercial flight(s) e.g. Business flights,
survey flights or spraying flights in Bangladesh he shall apply giving details of the flights(s) to the
Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority, Kurmitola, Dhaka-1229 for permission to carry out such operations.
Grant of permission will be governed by the merits of the individual cases of consultation with any
other department of Government of Bangladesh that may be concerned.
 Employment of foreign aircraft for public transportation or aerial works
An aircraft not registered in Bangladesh is precluded from employment as a public transport aircraft or
an aerial work aircraft in Bangladesh territory without special permission from the government of
Bangladesh, an aircraft owned by a person other than a national of Bangladesh who is resident in
resident in or carrying on business in Bangladesh may be registered as Bangladesh aircraft, but is
precluded from employment as public transport aircraft or an aerial work aircraft without special
authorization from the chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.
 CARGO
Regulations concerning importation, transshipment and exportation of cargo
Customs requirements: Carriage of arms and explosives
1. The Carriage in aircraft of any arms, ammunition, explosives, military stores or articles of highly
inflammable nature is prohibited under the Bangladesh Aircraft Rules, except explosives or other
articles required exclusively for the working of the aircraft and such arms and ammunition as may
reasonably be required for private use.
2. No civil registered aircraft, whether national or foreign shall carry ammunition of war or implements
of war in or across the territories of Bangladesh.
3. Sporting arms and ammunition, explosives (other than those which are used for handling and
operating an aircraft), poisons, corrosive liquids or irritant gases, as aesthetic gases, liquids and
compounds, flammable solids, liquids or gases, oxidizing materials shall not be carried in bulk on any
passenger carrying aircraft, whether national or foreign in or across the territory of Bangladesh except
in such quantities as may be notified from time to time.
4. When any of the articles mentioned in above is carried, the carrier shall ensure that:
(a) The quantity is within the prescribed limits;
(b) It is properly and securely packed and correctly labeled showing the content of the package with
appropriate instructions for handling;
(c) It is stored in such a place that if the container is damaged, the crew, passenger and the main
structure of the aircraft is not likely to endangered by its effects.
5. Articles mentioned in paragraph 3 may be transited in bulk through Bangladesh on a foreign
registered aircraft provided the owner of the aircraft has obtained prior permission of its Government
for conveyance of the cargo on board and 24 hours advance notice of the arrival of aircraft is given to
the Airport of intended landing in Bangladesh.
A list of articles which are classified a "Prohibited Cargo" or "Dangerous Cargo" is available at all civil
aerodromes.
 Plant Quarantine Requirements: Importation of Plants and seeds
The importation of plants and seeds into Bangladesh is governed by special rules. In every case
where it is intended to carry plants or seeds on aircraft entering Bangladesh, enquiries should first be
made from the Department of Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Complex,
Farmgate, Dhaka.
 Customs Duty on Airport
No customs duty is levied on an aircraft which is in transit or is to make a temporary stay in
Bangladesh for a period of less than six months, However, declaration must be supplied to the
Customs Officer at the Airport of entry that the aircraft is in transit or that it is intended to re-export the
aircraft within this period.
 Wireless Apparatus
In Conformity with the provisions of the International Telecommunications Convention (Atlantic City,
1947) aircraft entering Bangladesh carrying radio transmitting apparatus are required to have a
license3 for the apparatus and the operator must hold a certificate of competency. If an aircraft
equipped with wireless apparatus arrives in Bangladesh and does not carry the required license and
certificate issued by the State in which it is registered, a license for the apparatus and a certificate for
the operator must be obtained from the General Manager, Telephones (Wireless Branch), Dhaka,
before proceeding.