?The runway will be covered with asphalt concrete so that we can upgrade the airport to category-I from category-II,? Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan said during a fire drill?An Airport Emergency Exercise?at the airport on Wednesday.
During the fire drill, Caab showed how the passengers from a loaded aircraft are being rescued if the aircraft catches fire.
Under the direction of Caab, the Civil Aviation Fire Service, Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force, divers of Bangladesh Navy, rescue workers of Bangladesh Army, physicians of Caab and representative of different airlines took part in the fire drill.
Senior officials of Caab and Shahjalal International Airport, and Air force personnel were also present at the programme.
As per the requirement of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Caab has to organise the fire drill at least once in every two years at the country?s international airports for enhancement of skills and taking preparations for handling any unexpected emergency situation.
Expressing satisfaction over the successful holding of the exercise programme, the minister said such programme proves that safety measures in the country?s international airport are adequate.
He also suggested that Caab organise the fire drill at least once in a year.
In case of any aircraft accident, the coordination among all the agencies concerned is vital to carry out the rescue operation, said Faruk, adding, ?We were able to rescue the crew members of a Royal Thai Aircraft with minimum injury following the recent accident at Shahjalal International Airport.?
Responding to a query about the availability of proper equipment for clearing the runway after any accident, the minister said, ?We have no such heavy equipment but we are trying to procure heavy equipment as soon as possible.?
Caab Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mahud Hussain said, ?Such programme has been arranged to prove the competitiveness of rescuers as well as the safety measures of the airport. We will send the fire drill report to ICAO.?
The ICAO included Bangladesh in the list of countries having significant safety concern in 2009. The last safety oversight audit by ICAO in 2009 found that air operators in Bangladesh were not complying with local and international regulations.
Source: daily-sun.com
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