Staff Reporter :
The government has officially designated Cox’s Bazar Airport as an international airport, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism development.
A gazette notification, signed by Joint Secretary Ahmed Jamil on Sunday and issued by order of the President, formally renamed the facility Cox’s Bazar International Airport under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 16 of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984.
According to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, the order took immediate effect in the public interest.
Officials said international flight operations from Cox’s Bazar are expected to commence later this month on a limited scale as part of a “soft launch,” with full-fledged services to follow upon completion of ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
The national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has already scheduled its inaugural international service on the Cox’s Bazar-Kolkata-Cox’s Bazar route via Dhaka. The new connection is set to open a fresh chapter in regional connectivity and tourism promotion, a Biman official confirmed.
“The declaration of Cox’s Bazar as an international airport represents a major step toward transforming the district into a global tourism hub,” a senior official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) told BSS.
“The airport’s operational readiness will greatly strengthen air connectivity and enhance Bangladesh’s position in the South Asian travel market,” the official added.
Launched in 2021, the upgradation project aims to turn Cox’s Bazar into a fully equipped international gateway with state-of-the-art facilities.
A separate runway expansion initiative-extending the existing 6,775-foot airstrip to 9,000 feet to accommodate wide-body aircraft-is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Cox’s Bazar International Airport is now Bangladesh’s fourth international airport, joining Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, and Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
Officials believe the new international gateway will not only attract more global tourists to Bangladesh’s premier beach destination but also facilitate the export of perishable goods, create new business opportunities, and generate local employment.
Civil Aviation and Tourism authorities reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Cox’s Bazar as a major regional aviation hub, in line with its long-term vision for sustainable tourism growth and inclusive economic development.
