Security concerns are mounting at Cox’s Bazar Airport after electrical cables and important components were reportedly stolen repeatedly from a critical runway lighting system installed offshore in the Bay of Bengal.
The incidents have drawn particular attention as the airport prepares for international operations. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is scheduled to conduct a security audit on October 26, making the protection of essential aviation infrastructure a major concern.
The affected equipment is part of a Category II Precision Approach Lighting System installed on piles near the northern end of the runway, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Bakkhali River. The system helps pilots approach and land aircraft safely, particularly at night or when visibility is poor due to fog or adverse weather.
The thefts were discussed at the 14th meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, held at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters on October 7. Reports of repeated thefts involving electrical cables and other essential components were raised during the meeting, prompting calls for stronger security measures.
According to reports, the offshore location presents additional challenges for security personnel. Monitoring an extensive structure at sea requires effective surveillance, regular patrols and coordination among relevant agencies.
The Ministry of Tourism has reportedly contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs following recommendations from CAAB, seeking urgent measures through the River Police to improve security around the offshore lighting infrastructure.
The thefts have also raised concerns among local residents and business owners, who have questioned how valuable equipment could repeatedly disappear from such a sensitive facility.
The airport’s acting director was contacted for comment, but no official response was obtained. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali told Bangla Tribune that no general diary or criminal case had been filed at the station regarding the reported thefts.
The government has invested billions of taka in upgrading Cox’s Bazar Airport, including runway expansion, the installation of modern navigation facilities and the development of an international passenger terminal.
With the ICAO audit approaching, ensuring the security of the offshore lighting system has become an urgent priority. Authorities now face growing pressure to investigate the incidents, prevent further thefts and safeguard infrastructure essential to aircraft operations.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 16 Oct 2026, 14:00.
