By Professor Dr. Sheikh Asif S. Mizan

Vice-Chancellor, Daaru Salaam University, Somalia; Specialist in Criminology, Governance, and Human Rights.

An international airport in an independent and sovereign state is far more than a hub for air transit. It stands as the primary visible reflection of national identity, national security, administrative efficiency, and good governance. For foreign investors, international tourists, and particularly non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) wage earners—the backbone of the country's economy—the airport serves as the initial benchmark for assessing a nation's capacity and civil service standards.

Long-standing allegations of mismanagement, passenger hardship, service bottlenecks, and harassment at Bangladesh's primary gateway, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), can no longer be viewed merely as service delivery failures. Analyzed through the lenses of criminology, governance, and geopolitics, these issues expose deep-seated administrative incoherence, accountability deficits, and institutional weaknesses. Failure to address these systemic vulnerabilities risks undermining the nation's economic momentum, international standing, and public trust.

Rather than relying on unverified conspiracy theories, the state's immediate priority must be identifying the root causes of these failures and implementing structural reforms. Establishing a safe, transparent, passenger-centric, and internationally compliant environment at HSIA is an urgent necessity.

A History of Grievance and Public Expectations The grievances of general passengers and the diaspora community regarding HSIA have been widely documented. Prolonged waiting times for baggage clearance, unnecessary delays during customs and immigration procedures, severe shortages of luggage trolleys, fragmented service coordination, and reports of discourteous behavior by frontline personnel consistently taint the passenger experience.

Expatriate workers make invaluable contributions to the national economy. Enduring separation from their families, their hard-earned remittances sustain both the macroeconomic framework and millions of households. When these individuals return home only to encounter undue harassment, operational chaos, or hostility, it inflicts personal distress and erodes their trust in state institutions.

While infrastructure expansion, technological integration, and the development of new terminals mark significant progress, physical upgrades are only as meaningful as the quality of service they yield. The success of an international airport cannot be measured solely by modern architecture or advanced machinery; the true index of success lies in whether passengers receive swift, secure, transparent, and dignified service.

Public expectation is unambiguous: from entry to exit, every traveler must experience security, assistance, and dignity. In place of apprehension and uncertainty, passengers should encounter state responsibility and hospitality.

Theoretical Analysis: Structural and Institutional Vulnerabilities Applying criminological and governance frameworks reveals several structural issues driving these institutional failures: conflicts between individual and organizational interests, inadequate oversight, weak accountability mechanisms, and a deficit in professional service standards.

Public Choice Theory: Public Choice Theory posits that decision-making within public institutions is often influenced by the self-interests and institutional incentives of officials, rather than pure public interest. Multiple entities operate within HSIA, including Civil Aviation, Customs, Immigration Police, security agencies, and ground handling operators. In the absence of a unified coordination mechanism, clear division of responsibilities, and an accessible grievance redress system, service delivery stalls.

Routine Activities Theory: In criminology, Routine Activities Theory suggests that misconduct or illicit behavior increases when three elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian or effective oversight. Uncontrolled access by unauthorized personnel, uninvestigated extortions, or unaddressed passenger complaints create structural opportunities for irregularities.