Int’l flights from Cox’s Bazar Airport to begin in July: CAAB
Biman has already been instructed to prepare for launching international routes from the airport, said a CAAB official
Cox's Bazar Airport is set to become Bangladesh's fourth international gateway from July, as the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) moves to complete necessary preparations, including immigration and customs facilities, to initiate international flight operations.
The development was confirmed today (21 April) at a coordination meeting chaired by CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan.
Key stakeholders including representatives from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, immigration police, customs authorities, and the Airline Operators Committee attended the meeting.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"We will be fully ready to operate international flights by narrow-bodied aircraft from Cox's Bazar in July," a senior CAAB official told BSS following the meeting.
"Biman has already been instructed to prepare for launching international routes from the airport," he said.
The transformation of Cox's Bazar Airport into an international facility is part of a comprehensive development project launched in 2021.
The project encompasses the extension of the existing runway and the construction of a new terminal building, enabling round-the-clock flight operations.
CAAB officials said that by July, the runway extension—an additional 1,700 feet built into the Bay of Bengal—will be complete, bringing the total runway length to 10,700 feet (3.26 km).
Once completed, it will be the longest runway in Bangladesh, they said.
Initially, international flights will operate from the current terminal building on an adhoc basis.
The new state-of-the-art international terminal is expected to be completed later and will be capable of handling all kind of wide-bodied aircraft.
"We are conducting continuous inspections on the runway, lighting system, protection embankments, and terminal infrastructure to ensure operational readiness," said CAAB Chairman Bhuiyan.
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus visited the under-construction airport last Friday to inspect the project's progress.
The government's long-term goal is to develop Cox's Bazar into a premier international tourist destination, similar to Bali in Indonesia.
Officials of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) believe that upgraded air connectivity will position the coastal town as a strategic hub for regional tourism.
In a regional development, China's Yunnan Province has expressed interest in establishing direct air connectivity between Kunming and Chattogram, seeing Cox's Bazar as a compelling destination for tourists from the landlocked province.
President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), Rafeuzzaman, welcomed the initiative, saying, "Cox's Bazar has immense potential to attract tourists from landlocked countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, and China's Yunnan Province, as it is the nearest accessible seashore for them."
He noted that direct weekend flights connecting Cox's Bazar to Kathmandu, Thimphu, and Kunming could significantly boost tourist inflows.
However, he emphasized that the town still lacks essential infrastructure and entertainment options needed to serve international tourists.
"To position Cox's Bazar as a standalone global destination, the government must invest in foreign tourist-friendly infrastructure and expand recreational and nightlife offerings," he said.
