Aviation safety vital investment, not expense: Adviser Brig Islam

Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Wednesday said aviation safety must be treated as an investment in human lives, national assets and economic progress, rather than an operational expense.

“Safe aviation is not only about preventing accidents but also a key foundation for international connectivity, passenger confidence and sustainable development of the aviation sector,” he said at the closing ceremony of a three-day seminar at a city hotel.

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) jointly organised the 8th International Flight Safety Seminar-2026 (IFSS-2026).

The adviser said airport, terminal and air navigation system modernisation was underway under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to establish Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub. 

He stressed that modern infrastructure must be backed by internationally recognised safety standards, skilled manpower and effective institutional coordination.

He also underscored the need for modern technology, regular training, professional development, effective risk management and stronger cooperation between military and civil aviation authorities.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan said flight safety was essential to protecting lives and assets, maintaining operational readiness and ensuring sustainable aviation development. 

He stressed safety awareness, professional discipline, timely decision-making and risk management amid technological advances.

Held under the theme “Technology, Training and Teamwork: Creating a Future-Ready Safety Mindset,” the seminar brought together military and civil aviation representatives from 21 countries.

Air force delegations attended from Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Kuwait, Russia, Sudan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zimbabwe.

For the first time, representatives from the civil aviation authorities of Malaysia, Nepal and Sri Lanka, along with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), joined the seminar, according to an ISPR release.

Representatives of Bangladesh’s defence, law enforcement and emergency response agencies, airlines, flying academies, educational institutions, ministries and other organisations also participated.

Local and international experts presented papers and exchanged views on technological advances, human factors, safety management systems, training, teamwork and emerging aviation risks, sharing international experiences and best practices to strengthen flight safety.