Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh

The Civil Aviation Authority of 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

History

Airstrips: the scratch for subsequent development

The British Government of India had built military airstrips near Tejgaon during the Second World War for operating warplanes towards the war fields of Kohima and other Burmese war threats. Tejgaon Airport became the first airport to operate civil aviation in the then East Pakistan and it was also a station of the Pakistan Air Force. A number of other British built military airstrips in Bangladesh territory were also converted into civil airports – some during Pakistan period and some after Liberation. A few others were converted to STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) ports some years ago. And some are still left alone. The airstrips not yet converted to any civil airport of any kind are at Feni, Rajendrapur, Pahar Kanchanpur, Chakaria and Rasulpur.

The Royal Indian Air Force and Tejgaon Airport

Soon after the Second World War broke out, the British authority felt the need of constructing the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) stations in Dhaka and other vulnerable places in Bangladesh territory. The construction of Tejgaon Airport at a place named Dainodda started in 1941; and the building of a landing strip at Kurmitola (Balurghat) started at about the same time. The airstrips at Tejgaon and Kurmitola had military fighter plane landing facilities and the British Royal Air Force used the airstrips for safe up‑keeping their aircraft. There was also an American air force detachment here during the war period. The first RIAF light fighter landed on the under‑construction runway of Tejgaon at the beginning of 1943 and after development of the airport facilities, it became the first civil airport of the present area of Bangladesh.

The Orient Airways

Apart from the British air force, the Ispahani group and its partners used Tejgaon Airport for operation of an airliner named Orient Airways established by them in 1946. In 1947, the Orient Airways operated two types of carriers from Tejgaon Airport. These were a DC ‑3 (Dakota) and a DHC‑6 (Twin Otter).

Pakistan International Airlines

Very soon Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was formed as the national flag carrier to fly within country and abroad. Consequently, the government took over both military and civil aviation and made them public sector activity and the Orient Airways had to close its operation.

Airports and aviation during Pakistan period

In 1948, the government had established Eastern Pakistan Flying Club to train local youths in the field of piloting. The Eastern Pakistan Flying Club was established in 1948.After Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 . The newly formed Bangladesh Flying Club under joint command of Capt.A.rahim C.F.I and Engr.Nasiruddin Ahmed. Chief Engineer (C.C).(BANGLADESH FLYING ACADEMY AND GENERAL AVIATION LTD.) A branch of the Flying Wing of the Plant Protection Department was established in East Pakistan. Tejgaon Airport became gradually busy with flights of these agencies as well of PIA, which had acquired piston engine aircraft like Dakotas and Convairs, and super constellations converted turbo propeller type of aircraft like Viscounts and Fokker. Later, jet aircraft like Boeing, Comet and DC‑8 were added to the fleet. The airport also served foreign airlines including British Airways and Pan American Airways. PIA started its Boeing jet services in 1960. The Department of Civil Aviation and the Airport Development Agency had to upgrade Tejgaon Airport for accommodating traffic in accordance with the international standards. The domestic airports in operation in the then East Pakistan were located at Jessore, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar, Thakurgaon, Ishwardi and Comilla. In the year 1966, the Government took a project to construct an airport at Kurmitola around the British built airstrip, and the works went on that came to a holt in 1971 due the liberation war.

First Flight in Bangladesh by its own Aircraft

The first civil flight of Independent Bangladesh was operated from Dhaka Airport on 1 January 1972 at 11:30 AM. The registration Mark SB-AUZ Type of Aircraft Cessna 150. The flight was flown by Captain A.Rahim C.F.I while the flight was engineered by ENGINEER Nasiruddin Ahmed Chief Engineer (C.C) and his team. Meanwhile, the 1st international Flight from Independent Bangladesh destined to Calcutta was flown on 10/01/1972 at1500 Hrs., which was flown by Captain A.Rahim C.F.I & Capt. K.Q.Huda while the flight was engineered by Engr. Nasiruddin Ahmed Chief Engineer (C.C)and his team. The registration mark of the aircraft was SB-AAS(AUZ).

Resumption of civil air operations

Flying establishment of defunct P.I.A at Dhaka Airport was handed over to Engineer Mozammel Hoque by Major M.Singh of the Indian Army. Meanwhile, the Flying establishment of Government Flight, Plant Protection and Flying Club were handed over to Engineer Nasiruddin Ahmed by Major M.Singh of the Indian Army, simultaneously. Engineer Muzammel Hoque had no aircraft in his possession except for some spare-parts, tools, equipment and hangar. Engineer Nasiruddin Ahmed took possession of more than twelve fixed wing small & Amphibian Aircraft at his control along with spares, tools, equipment and hangars. On inspection,it was found by Engineer Nasiruddin Ahmed that each and every Aircraft under his control were fitted to Booby-Traps. The matter was immediately reported to Major M.Singh of the Indian Army who took prompt initiative to sweep off the Booby-Traps and ensured safety of the aircraft. Later on Engineer Nasiruddin Ahmed disbursed the received responsibilities and gears to respective organizations and authorities.

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 aircraft registered in Bangladesh and issues/renews certificate of airworthiness for the worthy aircraft, 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 aircraft, 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

1. 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.

2. CAAB establishes air routes, and flying, approaching and landing procedures for each route and aerodrome belonging to the country.

3. 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 aircraft.

COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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.

2. CAAB is responsible for operation & maintenance of all electrical & mechanical equipments, ensure smooth power supply across all airports.

3. CAAB also provides operational accommodation to other organizations and agencies like airlines, Customs, Immigration, Meteorology, Health, Police etc. at the airports.

DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

1. 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.

2. 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.

Organization - The Board

Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh is a public service enterprise and a body corporate. It functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. The Authority is run by a Board with a Chairman and six other Members. Management of administration, finance and operations of the Authority all vest in the Board. The organization was formed in 1985 vide Ordinance No. XXXVIII of 1985, titled The Civil Aviation Authority Ordinance, 1985.

CAAB has an approved establishment of a total of 3769 posts where 392 are of officers and the rest 3377 are of staff. Moreover, a total of 915 skilled and unskilled daily-basis (no work no pay) temporary employees are also working. Besides permanent and temporary employees of CAAB a few senior officers come on deputation from the Bangladesh Air Force and the Civil Service.

THE BOARD

Civil Aviation Authority is run by a Board. The Board consists of seven Members with a Chairman. They all are appointed by the Government. Presently, the Members of the Board are:

Chairman, Member (Operation & Planning), CAAB Member (Finance), CAAB Member (Administration), CAAB Chief Engineer, CAAB Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism Director (ATS), Bangladesh Air Force

CHAIRMAN

The Chairman of the Board is a full time officer and the chief executive of Civil Aviation Authority responsible for the efficient management and proper administration of the affairs of the Authority. Typically the Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority comes on deputation from Bangladesh Air Force and holds the rank of Air Commodore (equivalent of Additional Secretary to Bangladesh government). Member (OPS & PLAN), Member (Finance), Member (Admin) and Chief Engineer directly reports to Chairman of CAAB. Air Commodore Mahmud Hussain, ndc, psc is the current Chairman of CAAB. Air Commodore Mahmud Hussain has been appointed Chairman of Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuous Airworthiness Program-South Asia (COSCAP- SA) for next two years, in its 20th steering committee meeting held in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on April 5–8, 2011.

MEMBER (OPS and PLAN)

The main-stream activities, directly related to aviation such as air traffic services, communication operation and engineering, flight safety and regulation, planning and training etc. are done under a Member designated as Member (Operation and Planning). He is a full time Member in the organization. This branch covers the greatest volume of the total activities of CAAB with about 75% of its manpower. All international and domestic airports in the country work under Member (Operation and Planning). Each airport has its own manpower for ATS, Communication, Security, Fire along with Administration and Accounts. They are controlled by the respective Airport Manager who is responsible to the Member (Operation and Planning). In the absence of the Chairman, the Member (operation and Planning) acts as the Chairman of the Authority. Typically Member (OPS & PLAN) comes on deputation from Bangladesh Air Force and holds the rank of Group Captain (equivalent of Joint Secretary to Bangladesh government). Director (Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport), Directory (Flight Safety & Regulation), Director (Planning & Training), Director (ATS & Aerodromes), Director (CEMSU), Director (CATC), Director (Communication) and Airport Managers (rest of the airports) report to Member (OPS & PLAN)

MEMBER (FINANCE)

All activities related to finance, accounts, budget and audit in the organization are done under a Member designated as Member (Finance). He is a full time Member in the organization. Office of the Member (Finance) also has got one directorate headed by Director (Finance). This is a Joint Secretary ranked post and typically officers are deputed from Establishment Ministry of Bangladesh government.

MEMBER (ADMINISTRATION)

All organizational administrative works, such as recruitment, transfer, promotion, retirement of employees etc. in the organization, are done under a Member designated as Member (Administration). He is a full time Member in the organization. Office of the Member (Administration) has got one directorate which is headed by Director (Administration). This is a Joint Secretary ranked post and typically officers are deputed from Establishment Ministry of Bangladesh government.

CHIEF ENGINEER

The civil, electrical and mechanical engineering works in CAAB are performed under the supervision of the Chief Engineer. Office of the Chief Engineer has three Circles headed by respective Superintending Engineers. The Chief Engineer of Civil Aviation Authority is a part time Member of the Board. But he is a regular officer of the Authority as Chief Engineer. This is also a Joint Secretary equivalent post. Superintending Engineer (E/M), Superintending Engineer (Civil) & Superintending Engineer (Planning, Design & Quantity Survey) report directly to Chief Engineer.

References

• Poor response to open sky policy. The Daily Star. 2007-10-18.
• Mahmud takes over as CAAB chief. The Daily Star. 2010-05-18
• 7th boarding bridge inaugurated at Hazrat Shah Jalal Inter-national Airport. Bangladesh Monitor
• FAA signs agreement for Cooperation on Civil Aviation Safety with CAAB. US Embassy Press release
• Air Cdre Mahmud made COSCAP South Asia chairman. News Today. 2011-04-14

External links

• CAAB Official Site
• Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism, Bangladesh
• ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization