A full-scale security drill on ' Airport Security Exercise 2026 ' was conducted at Cox’s Bazar Airport at 11 am on Wednesday.
According to the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), it is mandatory to organize an Airport Security Exercise at each airport once every two years. In continuation of this requirement, the exercise was organized with the objective of assessing preparedness and enhancing the capacity of stakeholders to respond to various threats including hijacking and bomb attacks.
The scenario of the exercise depicted that BlueWave Airways flight no. BWA789, carrying 8 passengers and 2 cabin crew members, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka at 10:30 AM bound for Cox’s Bazar Airport. Within 10 minutes of takeoff, an anonymous telephone call was received at the Cox’s Bazar Airport control tower, where the caller stated that a bomb had been placed inside the aircraft and could explode at any time. The control tower immediately informed the Airport Director of Cox’s Bazar Airport and the Aviation Security In-charge.
After reviewing the situation and considering the threat to be credible, the Airport Director, in consultation with the Risk Advisory Group, declared a ‘Full Emergency’ and provided necessary instructions to activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Subsequently, the EOC informed and coordinated with the Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Army, RAB, Police, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Medical Unit, and other relevant agencies.
Participants in the exercise included CAAB, Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Army, RAB, Cox’s Bazar District Police, APBN, Ansar, Civil Surgeon and General Hospital medical teams, and Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, along with several other concerned agencies.
The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, BSP, GUP, ndc, afwc, acsc, psc, attended the program as the Chief Guest and observed the activities.
At the Airport Security Exercise 2026 held at Cox’s Bazar Airport, the Chief Guest began his speech by expressing sincere thanks to all stakeholders for participating in the exercise. He stated that such exercises not only provide opportunities to identify weaknesses but also enhance effective coordination among various agencies, playing a vital role in ensuring international standards in passenger services. Highlighting the success of the exercise as a bright example of collective effort and responsibility, the Chief Guest expressed hope that it would enable swift and efficient response to any unforeseen situation.
He further stated that during the fire incident that occurred at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on 18 October 2025, CAAB, Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Army, APBN, Ansar, Police, Fire Service, Health Department, and all concerned agencies worked together to quickly bring the situation under control. As a result, airport operations were resumed by 9:00 PM on the same night.
He expressed optimism that such exercises would play an important role in preparation for the upcoming ICAO security audit scheduled for this year.
He also informed that the work to extend the runway of Cox’s Bazar Airport to 10,700 feet and the construction of a new international terminal are progressing rapidly.
CAAB Member (Operations & Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan, BSP, BUP, ndc, psc, and CAAB Member (Security) Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal, BSP, BUP, ndc, afwc, psc, GD(P). Also present were CAAB officials, senior representatives of participating agencies, and members of the media were present.
