Drone flights at all airports and surrounding areas has been, citing serious risks to national security and safe aircraft operations.

In an official letter, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh said unauthorised drone operations are strictly prohibited at airports, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and their adjacent zones under the Drone Registration and Operation Policy 2020.

The authority noted that despite the existing ban, some electronic media outlets operated drones without permission on December 19 while covering the arrival of the body of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi at the airport in the presence of three advisers and other important persons.

Such unauthorised drone flights pose a grave threat to safe air navigation and aircraft movement, the letter said.

CAAB urged representatives of electronic media and members of the public to strictly refrain from flying drones in and around airport areas in the interest of aviation safety and national security.