New aviation safety regulations in the works

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has taken an initiative for introducing new regulations aimed at further strengthening the safety and security of passengers, baggage and cargo during flights. CAAB has already submitted the draft of the Aviation Transportation Safety Law to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism for evaluation. Civil Aviation and Tourism Joint Secretary Abul Hasnat Ziaul Haque confirmed the matter to the Bangla Tribune on Sunday. He added that the draft would be turned into a law through necessary steps to better protect the passengers and the cargo. Meanwhile, an inside source from the ministry said due to the lack of a clearly defined aviation and cargo safety laws in Bangladesh, and for not implementing the Montreal Convention, airlines operating in Bangladesh cannot be sued for damages for the cargo market value. To resolve the issue, an aviation transportation safety law was drafted, taking cues from the Warsaw convention and the Montreal Convention, said the ministry source. The insider source also added that almost every country across the globe follows the Montreal Convention 1999, but Bangladesh only follows the Warsaw Convention, formulated in 1929. Under the Montreal Convention, if any cargo is damaged or lost during transport, the airlines company has to pay the client for damages according to its market value. While the Warsaw Convention states that the company will only pay $20 for per kg of lost or damaged cargo. Bangladesh signed the Montreal Convention in 2003, but has yet to ratify it. Due to the absence of proper laws to safeguard passengers, their baggage and cargo, both foreign and domestic airlines are neglecting their security in Bangladesh. Cargo could be worth millions, but airlines operating in the country only pay $20 per kg for any loss or damage. Meanwhile, responding to a query, Biman Bangladesh Airlines General Manager (Public Relations) Shakil Meraj said: “We are committed to provide safe and secure transportation to the passengers and to the cargo. We pay for damages under the Warsaw Convention. “We follow laws introduced by the government, and if new laws are formulated we will follow it,” he added. This article was first published on Bangla Tribune