Explosive detection systems for airport yet to arrive

The much talked-about explosive detection devices for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are yet to arrive in Bangladesh even though the aviation minister said on several occasions they would be here by the first week of July.

Installation of EDD is a key requirement for resumption of direct cargo flights to Europe, which have been barred from June 1.

The US-based supplier did not release the two EDDs, which cost Tk 64 crore, as there was a problem with the letter of credit, Rashed Khan Menon, minister for civil aviation and tourism, told The Daily Star over telephone yesterday.

“I cannot explain it in details right at this moment. But, there is a problem in LC -- this is why the supplying company did not release the devices yet.”

However, the minister still maintained that the devices will be installed by the end of this month.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Germany's flag carrier Lufthansa have arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a three-day visit with the view to getting a first-hand look at the upgraded security measures at HSIA's cargo village.

The two-member Lufthansa delegation yesterday held meetings with high officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and HSIA and watched the dog squad for cargo screening in action.

The delegation will submit its report to Lufthansa head office soon.

Another expert team of Etihad Airways is due in Dhaka today for the same purpose, said Shakil Meraj, general manager of public relation of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Asked about the security measures taken since the series of cargo ban from HSIA, Meraj cited the installation of 125 closed-circuit cameras, dual-view x-ray machine, under vehicle surveillance system and access control system as per the requirement of European Aviation Security Manual.

Two separate security expert teams from the UK and the EU are scheduled to audit the security system on August 5.

Safety and security experts from the UK and Germany have visited HSIA on several occasions in the past one year and remained dissatisfied with the measures.

The UK, Germany and Australia have slapped a ban on direct cargo service from Dhaka last year due to insufficient safety and security.

Thanks to the ban, exporters have to re-screen their Europe-bound goods at a third airport -- an additional step for which the airlines are charging them an extra 10 cents to 12 cents per kilogramme.

The exercise has also lengthened the delivery times.

Bangladesh raked in $18.68 billion from its exports to the EU in fiscal 2015-16, which was 54.57 percent of the total receipts for the year.

Of the sum, $17.15 billion came from apparel shipments. The EU currently accounts for over 60 percent of Bangladesh's garment export receipts in a year.

Besides, 60 percent of fruit and vegetable and other perishable exports also go to the EU and their exporters are the worst sufferers because of their short shelf-life.