Cox’s Bazar Cleared for Takeoff: Set to Become Bangladesh’s Fourth International Gateway

Cox’s Bazar Airport is poised to become Bangladesh’s fourth international gateway, with international flight operations scheduled to commence in July. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has already completed necessary preparations, including immigration and customs facilities, to facilitate the launch.

The update was confirmed during a coordination meeting chaired by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M. Mofidur Rahman on Monday, April 21. Representatives from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, immigration police, customs authority, and the Airline Operators Committee were also present at the session.

Following the meeting, a senior CAAB official told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), “We will be fully ready to operate international flights with short-haul aircraft from Cox’s Bazar by July. Biman has already been instructed to prepare for launching international routes from the airport.”

Transforming Cox’s Bazar Airport into an international hub is part of an extensive development project launched in 2021. The initiative includes extending the existing runway and constructing a new terminal building that will support round-the-clock operations.

According to CAAB officials, the 1,700-foot extension into the Bay of Bengal will be completed by July, bringing the total runway length to 10,700 feet or 3.26 kilometers—making it the longest runway in Bangladesh.

The newly planned state-of-the-art international terminal, which will eventually be completed, is expected to handle all categories of wide-body aircraft. In the interim, international flights will be operated on an ad hoc basis from the current terminal.

“We are continuously inspecting the runway, lighting systems, safety barriers, and terminal infrastructure to ensure operational readiness,” said CAAB Chairman Manjur Kabir.

Earlier, on Friday, April 18, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited the under-construction airport to assess the project's progress.

The government’s long-term vision is to develop Cox’s Bazar into a premier international tourist destination akin to Indonesia’s Bali island.

Officials from the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) believe improved air connectivity will position the coastal town as a strategic hub for regional tourism.

As part of regional development efforts, China’s Yunnan Province has expressed interest in establishing direct air connectivity between Kunming and Chattogram. The landlocked province views Cox’s Bazar as an attractive destination for its outbound tourists.

Rafiquzzaman, President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), welcomed the initiative, stating, “Cox’s Bazar has immense potential to attract tourists from landlocked countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, and China’s Yunnan Province, as it is their nearest sea coast.”

He added that direct weekend flights connecting Cox’s Bazar with Kathmandu, Thimphu, and Kunming could significantly boost tourist arrivals. However, he noted that the city still lacks the necessary infrastructure and entertainment facilities to serve international visitors.

“To establish Cox’s Bazar as a distinct global destination,” he said, “the government must invest in foreign tourist-friendly infrastructure and expand entertainment and nightlife offerings.”