The interim government of Bangladesh has made a policy decision to divide the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) into two distinct entities—a regulatory body and an operational organization. The decision was communicated to CAAB through an official letter from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on January 28, and confirmed by the ministry’s Public Relations Department on January 29.

According to the ministry, CAAB currently performs dual roles: as a regulator overseeing aviation safety and security, and as an operator managing air navigation services and airports. This dual function has created conflicts of interest in decision-making. An audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and a government investigation into the October 18 fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s import cargo complex both recommended separating CAAB’s regulatory and operational functions.

To meet these requirements, the government will soon enact or amend necessary laws to establish a separate operator organization responsible for air navigation and airport management. The move aims to fulfill international obligations and improve the quality of civil aviation services in Bangladesh.