Dhaka: A full-scale security drill titled Airport Security Exercise 2026 was conducted at Cox's Bazar Airport today to test emergency preparedness and strengthen coordination among aviation security stakeholders.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the exercise was aligned with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP). It aimed to assess readiness against potential threats such as hijacking and bomb attacks while enhancing collaboration among relevant agencies.
A press release issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) stated that under ICAO guidelines, every airport must conduct an airport security exercise at least once every two years.
Participants included the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Army, RAB, Cox's Bazar district police, APBn, Ansar, medical teams from the Civil Surgeon's Office and General Hospital, and Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq attended the programme as the chief guest and observed the drill. In his address, he thanked all stakeholders for their participation, emphasizing that such exercises help identify vulnerabilities and enhance inter-agency coordination to ensure international standards in passenger safety and services.
He highlighted that the successful exercise demonstrated collective efforts and responsibility, expressing hope that it would enable swift and effective responses to unforeseen situations. Recalling the October 18, 2025, fire incident at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's cargo village, the CAAB chairman noted that coordinated efforts by all agencies restored airport operations by 9pm on the same day.
The chairman expressed optimism that these exercises would play a crucial role in preparing for the upcoming ICAO security audit and informed that work on extending Cox's Bazar Airport runway to 10,700 feet and constructing a new international terminal is progressing rapidly.
CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan and CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal were also present.