Bangladesh interim government has officially declared Cox鈥檚 Bazar Airport as an international airport, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh鈥檚 aviation and tourism development.
A gazette notification, signed by Joint Secretary Ahmed Jamil on Sunday and issued by order of the President, formally declared the facility as Cox鈥檚 Bazar International Airport under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 16 of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984.
The order came into immediate effect in the public interest, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry said on Monday.
Officials said international flight operations from Cox鈥檚 Bazar will begin later this month on a limited scale as part of a 鈥榮oft launch,鈥� with the full range of services to follow upon completion of ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
The National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has already planned to operate its maiden international service on the Cox鈥檚 Bazar-Kolkata-Cox鈥檚 Bazar route via Dhaka, opening a new chapter in regional connectivity and tourism promotion, Biman鈥檚 official said.
鈥楾he declaration of Cox鈥檚 Bazar as an international airport is a major step toward transforming the district into a global tourism hub,鈥� a senior official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) told BSS.
鈥楾he airport鈥檚 operational readiness will significantly strengthen air connectivity and enhance Bangladesh鈥檚 competitiveness in the South Asian travel market,鈥� he added.
Launched in 2021, the upgradation project aims to transform Cox鈥檚 Bazar into a full-fledged international gateway with modern facilities.
A separate runway expansion project, extending the existing 6,775-foot airstrip to 9,000 feet to accommodate wide-body aircraft, is progressing steadily and is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Cox鈥檚 Bazar International Airport became Bangladesh鈥檚 fourth international airport, after Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Osmani International Airport in Sylhet and Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
Officials believe the new facility will not only attract international tourists to the country鈥檚 premier beach destination but also facilitate exports of perishable goods, create new business opportunities, and boost local employment.
Civil Aviation and Tourism authorities said the government remains committed to positioning Cox鈥檚 Bazar as a major regional aviation hub in line with its long-term vision for sustainable tourism growth and economic development.