Government decides to separate CAAB into independent regulator, operator

Dhaka: The government has taken a policy decision to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) into two separate entities — an independent aviation regulator and a distinct operator body — to avoid conflicts of interest and enhance aviation safety and service standards.

The decision was formally conveyed to CAAB through an official letter issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on January 28, as per a notice.

Currently, CAAB performs dual roles. As a regulator, it oversees aviation safety and security, while as an operator it provides air navigation services and manages airports across the country. The overlapping responsibility has long raised concerns over conflicts of interest, particularly when regulatory decisions involve operational activities under the same authority.

The need to separate CAAB’s regulatory and operational functions was highlighted in audits conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Similar recommendations were also made in the investigation report of a committee led by the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, formed to probe the fire incident at the import cargo complex of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on October 18, 2025.

To address these concerns and meet international obligations, the government has adopted the policy decision to restructure CAAB. Necessary laws and regulations will be enacted or amended in the near future to establish a separate operator entity responsible for air navigation services and airport management.

Officials believe the move will not only ensure compliance with global aviation standards but also significantly improve the quality, transparency, and efficiency of civil aviation services in Bangladesh.