Cox’s Bazar airport going international without the airlines
With no carrier yet committing, doubts over whether international flights will actually begin in October
Highlights:
- Cox's Bazar airport upgraded for international flights after major investment
- Airlines hesitant, citing weak branding and limited tourist facilities
- Runway extended; new terminal ready with 1.8m capacity
- International flights depend on commercial viability, passenger demand, and promotion
- Planned tourism parks stalled for nine years, hindering visitor appeal
- Authorities hope modest start grows into regional aviation and tourism hub
After a multi-billion taka upgrade project, Cox's Bazar airport is all but ready to welcome international flights. The runway has been extended, a new terminal is nearing completion, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has formally notified global aviation bodies of its new status. Yet, despite this monumental investment, airlines are not flying in.
The stark reality is a disconnect between the government's ambitious vision and the commercial hesitancy of airlines. While the state has invested in infrastructure, carriers say the tourist destination still lacks the branding, facilities, and entertainment options needed to attract a consistent flow of international visitors.
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From domestic airstrip to international hub
The upgrade of Cox's Bazar airport has been a centrepiece of a Tk3 lakh crore mega-plan for the district. Alongside projects such as the Matarbari deep-sea port and direct rail connectivity, the airport was envisioned as a key gateway to transform the region into a major economic and aviation hub. Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina had boasted that it could become a "gateway similar to Dubai" for aircraft refuelling.
The project, costing more than Tk4,000 crore, has seen the runway extended from 6,775 feet to 9,000 feet and widened to 200 feet, with a separate project set to extend it further to 10,700 feet into the sea. This will allow wide-body aircraft to operate safely at full capacity. The new international terminal, a Tk362 crore investment, is due for completion by 30 September, with a planned capacity to handle 1.8 million passengers per year—more than double the current volume.
According to Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan, CAAB's member for operations and planning, the airport is set to hold international status from 2 October after formal notice was sent to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). "We have spoken with US-Bangla, Biman and some foreign carriers," he said, "but no airline has made a final decision yet. They will decide after inspecting facilities."
He hopes international flights may begin by the second week of October or later. Initially, the number of flights may be limited, but they expect the volume to increase by March.
Airlines weighing commercial viability
At present, four domestic carriers – Biman, US-Bangla, Novoair and Air Astra – operate services to and from Cox's Bazar. The CAAB has held several rounds of talks with local and foreign airlines to encourage international operations.
For airlines, the decision is a purely business one. Domestic carriers like US-Bangla and the national flag carrier Biman are exploring potential routes, but sources within the industry point to a number of crucial concerns.
Dilruba Akhtar, president of the Airlines Operators Committee, which represents foreign carriers, told TBS, "We last met CAAB earlier this month. As far as I know, no airline has yet taken a decision to begin flights."
"It will be tough to attract enough passengers in the route, and that raises questions about covering the additional costs of a transit operation," said US-Bangla spokesperson Kamrul Islam, regarding a potential Dhaka-Cox's Bazar-Bangkok route.
Airline insiders confirm that direct services, particularly from the Middle East, are not currently commercially viable. They stress that without a significant increase in tourist volumes, the new facilities at the airport cannot be justified.
This is where the story of the airport's success becomes intertwined with the broader tourism ecosystem.
Kamrul also pointed to the lack of international promotion. "Nepal has no sea beaches. Cox's Bazar could be a direct destination for them. But it is not being presented that way. The same applies to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Attracting tourists will require proper branding and facilities."
Biman spokesman ABM Roushan Kabir said the national carrier was still assessing the feasibility of international services from Cox's Bazar.
Some airlines have proposed potential routes such as Dhaka–Cox's Bazar–Bangkok or Cox's Bazar–Kolkata.
However, according to Biman Bangladesh Airlines sources, the final decision on operating flights on the Cox's Bazar–Kolkata route will be taken at the airline's next Board of Directors meeting.
A senior official of Air Arabia confirmed the airline had shown interest but had made no firm commitment. "The decision will ultimately depend on commercial viability and safety considerations," he said.
Airlines, both local and foreign, argue that the government has not done enough to promote the city globally. The lack of entertainment and engagement options for foreign visitors is a major deterrent. This is further compounded by the stalled development of three planned tourism parks by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), with none materialising in nearly a decade.
New terminal
Cox's Bazar airport was built during World War 2 for military purposes and was used as a domestic airport after independence. Since then, it has remained a domestic airport despite the tourist town's immense potential.
To gain international status, an airport must meet ICAO standards for runways, taxiways, lighting, and navigational aids, and provide fully operational terminals, immigration, customs, quarantine, security, air traffic control, and cargo services.
The then Awami League government undertook the project to expand the runway and build a new terminal to upgrade it to international standards to handle enhanced air traffic expected from parallel projects such as power plant, deep seaport and tourism zones.
Both the projects are government-funded, and the runway expansion work was given to a Chinese joint venture in 2021.
Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan said the new international terminal is due for completion by 30 September. "Until then, departures will continue from the existing terminal, while arrivals will be processed in a section of the new building. Counters for immigration, customs, health checks, banks and other services are being installed."
"To fully use the extended runway, further technical work is required, including lighting, an instrument landing system and flight calibration. Once complete, the expanded runway should be operational early next year," said Mehboob Khan.
He added, "The goal of making the airport international is to ease access for local and foreign tourists, and to transform it into a leading South Asian hub. The government also plans to offer 48-hour visas on arrival, which should help boost arrivals."
Authorities hopeful
CAAB officials said international facilities were already part of the expansion plan, meaning no extra financial burden. Even if operations begin modestly, officials believe Cox's Bazar International Airport could grow into a major gateway.
Airport director Golam Mortuza Hasan said, "Currently 1,500 to 2,000 passengers pass through Cox's Bazar daily, rising to 2,500 in peak season. With international operations, the airport's passenger handling capacity will more than double."
He added that while shrimp is flown from Cox's Bazar to Jashore as cargo, there has been no initiative yet for international cargo operations.
No tourism park in 9 years
Despite Beza's plans to develop three tourism parks in Cox's Bazar, none have materialised in nine years. Nearly 11,000 acres across Teknaf and Maheshkhali were earmarked, including Sabrang Tourism Park (967 acres), Naf Tourism Park (271 acres), and Sonadia Eco Tourism Park (9,467 acres).
The interim government recently scrapped Sonadia, citing environmental and biodiversity concerns. Sabrang is the furthest along, but construction has stalled as infrastructure remains incomplete.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Beza executive chairman, told TBS, "Sabrang has strong tourism potential. Our current focus is five priority economic zones. Infrastructure work is ongoing and must be sustainable. Once the priority zones are stabilised, Sabrang will receive full attention."
Beza has outlined a dedicated 10-year plan for Sabrang, during which it will receive top development priority.
