Bangladesh’s New International Airport: Cox’s Bazar Starts Flights July 2024

Cox’s Bazar Airport will officially become Bangladesh’s fourth international airport in July, marking a major milestone for the country’s aviation and tourism sectors. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) confirmed the timeline after a high-level coordination meeting, with preparations now in full swing to operationalize immigration, customs, and runway upgrades.

The airport’s runway is being extended by 1,700 feet into the Bay of Bengal, bringing its total length to 10,700 feet—making it the longest in Bangladesh. While initial international flights will use the existing terminal, a new state-of-the-art facility capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft is under construction.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been instructed to prepare for international routes, with narrow-bodied aircraft operations expected first. CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan emphasized rigorous inspections of runway lighting, embankments, and terminal infrastructure to ensure readiness.

The upgrade aligns with Bangladesh’s vision to transform Cox’s Bazar into a global tourism hub, akin to Bali. Stakeholders, including the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), highlight the potential to attract tourists from landlocked regions like Nepal, Bhutan, and China’s Yunnan Province—which has already expressed interest in direct Kunming-Chattogram flights.

Challenges remain, including the need for enhanced tourist infrastructure and entertainment options to compete internationally.

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