Passengers travelling by air on domestic and international routes will have to produce a photo identity card at the check-in counter along with their tickets, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has said.

“The measure was taken in a bid to enhance security on air travel,” Member (Operations and Planning)

Air Cdre M Mostafizur Rahman CAAB told The Daily Star last night.

He added that under the existing system there is a possibility that the designated person who bought a ticket in his name doesn't travel and someone else can travel in his place using the same ticket.

“CAAB has taken this security measure to stop such practices and it came into effect from July 1,” Rahman said.

Explaining the phone identity card, Mostafizur Rahman said any one of the following identity cards will be treated as a valid photo identity card - valid passport, national ID card or smart card, valid driving license, valid photo ID card issued by any educational institution and valid photo ID card issued by relevant institution.

According to these new measures, check-in counters of the respective domestic airline operators shall ensure that boarding cards are now issued only after confirming the ID of the person named in the ticket against a Photo ID.

CAAB, the regulatory authority for the country's commercial aviation has also posted a circular in this regard on its website.

Apart from the Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited, the national flag carrier, there are three other airlines, NOVOAIR, Regent Airways and US-Bangla Airlines, which operate domestic flights at present.

There are three International Airports in the country at present - Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport - the principal international airport of the country, Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong - the second largest airport in the country and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet

Alongside there are 12 domestic airports in the country. Of the twelve Cox's Bazar Airport, Shah Makhdum Airport, Rajshahi, Jessore Airport, Saidpur Airport and Barisal Airport are operational, according to CAAB.