Dhaka airport scores 94% in UK security audit but remains 2-star on Skytrax

Bangladesh’s two main international airports have improved their aviation security scores in a UK government assessment, with Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport receiving 94% and Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport 98%.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) announced the results Sunday following the latest security assessment by the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

Both airports improved on their 2025 results. Shahjalal rose one percentage point from 93%, while Osmani jumped four points from 94%, CAAB said.

Bangladesh also achieved 100% compliance in the DfT’s Additional Measures Assessment for cargo security.

The assessment examined security arrangements for passengers, cargo and mail, with particular emphasis on UK-bound traffic.

The scores, however, measure aviation security rather than the overall quality of an airport or passenger experience.

Shahjalal currently holds only a two-star airport certification from international air transport rating organisation Skytrax, whose assessment covers facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages and staff service.

Skytrax says passenger comfort and convenience at Shahjalal remain at a low standard and identifies shortcomings including seating, shopping and dining options, charging facilities and cleanliness. It also describes security and immigration processes as slow and bureaucratic.

The two assessments are therefore not directly comparable: the UK DfT audit focuses primarily on security compliance, while Skytrax evaluates the broader passenger experience and airport facilities.

Cargo restrictions in focus

Industry experts say that the 100% cargo-security compliance could be particularly significant for Bangladesh as it seeks relief from additional European security requirements.

Bangladesh has been subject since 2017 to the European Union’s High Risk Cargo and Mail, or HRCM, regime, which imposes additional security measures on cargo and mail destined for Europe, adding processing time and costs.

CAAB has raised the removal of the restrictions with the relevant authorities. However, lifting Bangladesh's HRCM status would ultimately depend on the EU’s own risk assessment and formal procedures, rather than the UK audit alone.

The latest results also come just weeks before Bangladesh faces a broader aviation security examination by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

ICAO’s Universal Security Audit Programme–Continuous Monitoring Approach audit is scheduled for October 26 to November 6.

It will examine aviation security management and implementation at CAAB headquarters as well as Shahjalal and Osmani international airports.

CAAB Member for Security Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal credited the latest improvement to coordinated work by the regulator’s Aviation Security Division, airport authorities and other stakeholders.

He also cited supervision by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, guidance from the CAAB chairman and cooperation among the authority’s different divisions.

The DfT results mark a second consecutive strong assessment for the two airports, but the contrast with Shahjalal’s two-star Skytrax certification underscores the difference between meeting international security requirements and providing passengers with high-quality airport facilities and services.

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