Runway closed 2hrs for VVIP security
The lone runway of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) was closed for around two and a half hours in two phases yesterday due to a programme attended by the prime minister to award National Standard to the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu at Dhaka Cantonment.
HSIA Director Kazi Iqbal Karim said the airport was closed for an hour and 15 minutes from 10:00am and another one hour from 11:45am to ensure security of a VVIP.
He said the security plan was made following procedures and as per a security-plan made at a meeting with Special Security Force (SSF). Due to the closure around 10 arriving and five to six departing flights had to reschedule, he added.
Iqbal said as per regulations the airport is kept closed if any VVIP stayed within one kilometer of any airport to ensure security of the VVIP.
“Usually security personnel inform us one or two days ahead and we inform the airports and airlines…,” Iqbal added.
Airport sources said due to the sudden change in schedule a Biman flight from Sylhet could not land at HSIA and was diverted to the Chittagong airport.
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