Dhaka Airport Cargo Fire Exposes Major Safety Failures in Import Section
- Update Time : Saturday, 25 October, 2025, 10:48 am
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The import section of the cargo complex at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), which was ravaged by Saturday’s devastating fire, was operating without adherence to internationally recognised safety standards, according to aviation experts.
While the export cargo area maintained compliance under EU and UK (ACC3 and RA3) validation, the import section remained neglected. Users have long complained about poor management, with import cargoes often dumped outside designated sheds and frequent reports of theft.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the blaze destroyed valuables worth around $1 billion, prompting the government to launch an investigation into the cause.
Under EU/UK ACC3/RA3 regulations, airlines flying cargo from outside the EU or UK must obtain ACC3 certification, and handlers servicing those airlines require RA3 validation. Biman Bangladesh Airlines holds both, meeting EU-mandated security and handling standards—though these apply only to export operations.
A member of Biman’s investigation committee described the import section as being in a “slum-like” state, lacking any fire control systems aligned with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The courier shed was particularly neglected, reportedly without a fire safety plan approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
The probe further revealed that only two water hydrants were available at the airport, raising serious doubts about CAAB’s fire safety preparedness.
A freight forwarder familiar with the site said the fire erupted because the import cargo complex failed to meet international safety and security benchmarks expected for such a high-risk facility.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq declined to accept direct responsibility, saying that while CAAB owns the infrastructure, operational control lies with Biman, customs, and clearing agents. He emphasised that it would be “premature” to assign blame before the investigation concludes, but admitted that firefighting trucks could not access the area due to goods piled in front of the warehouse.
Aviation experts, however, criticised CAAB, Biman, C&F agents, and customs authorities alike for gross negligence in safety and operational management. Although cargo is meant to be cleared within 21 days, insiders disclosed that goods often remain stored for years, exacerbating congestion and risk.
Despite CAAB’s claim that airport operations follow ICAO protocols, experts disputed this, pointing to poor storage practices and inadequate emergency infrastructure in the import section.
In 2016, both the UK and EU imposed a temporary ban on direct flights from Dhaka over security lapses at HSIA. Bangladesh regained approval after significant improvements in scanning, fire control, and incident management systems—though only for the export facilities.
Biman’s General Manager for Public Relations, Boshra Islam, confirmed that the import section is excluded from the ACC3 and RA3 validation scope. The latest EU ACC3 validation was done in March 2024 and the RA3 in May 2023, covering only the export side.
Aviation analyst Kazi Wahidul Alam stressed that even if ACC3 and RA3 are not mandatory for import areas, equal compliance should be maintained given the high volume and delayed clearance of imported goods. “Safety and compliance must be uncompromised,” he said, warning that cargo delays only heighten fire and security risks.
