The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States on Thursday renewed its condition that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh achieves top-category safety standards before the two countries resume direct flights.
The FAA attach茅 Daniel Jacob visited Bangladesh on June 9鈥�12 and met the CAAB chairman and foreign ministry officials as the two countries discussed the possibility of resuming direct flights.
Direct flights of Bangladesh鈥檚 state carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, between Dhaka and New York have remained suspended since 2006 due to safety concerns.聽
According to a statement from the US Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday, Bangladesh needs to achieve a 鈥淐ategory 1鈥� safety rating to make sure that HSIA and Biman meet relevant security requirements for direct flights.
FAA will carry out an International Aviation Safety Assessment before providing the Category 1 rating, provided it receives a request from the Bangladesh authorities.
However, the CAAB has not yet made a request, the US Embassy said.聽
Category 1 rating requires international safety standards and recommended practices, such as personnel licensing, operation of aircraft, and airworthiness of aircraft, in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Once CAAB achieves the rating, the US Transportation Security Administration will also conduct a separate assessment before allowing direct flights between the two countries, according to the US Embassy.
Biman, which has a fleet of 21 aircraft, currently operates direct flights from Dhaka to 23 destinations, including Toronto, Rome, London, and Manchester.