Cox’s Bazar airport set for international flights

Cox’s Bazar Prepares for International Air Service

Thebangladaily.com – Cox’s Bazar is moving closer to joining Bangladesh’s international aviation network as its newly built passenger terminal is scheduled to begin trial operations on Monday, September 28. The test phase is intended to prepare the airport for the start of international flights in October.

The development is significant for the coastal district, which is widely associated with tourism and has growing potential for direct overseas connectivity. Airport authorities say the facilities and staffing required for international services are now in place, while work on the runway and terminal systems has reached completion.

Longer runway built for larger aircraft

A central feature of the airport upgrade is its 10,700-foot runway, now the longest in Bangladesh. About 1,700 feet of the runway extension was constructed over the sea through specialised engineering methods. The expanded length is expected to allow wide-body international passenger aircraft to operate from Cox’s Bazar.

The runway has also been prepared for Category-II operations. Its night-lighting facilities are designed to support aircraft movement after dark and improve operational capability during difficult weather conditions. These additions are expected to give the airport more flexibility as it prepares to receive international services.

Project Coordinator M Mosharraf Hossain said the runway’s asphalt overlay and lighting work had been finished and described both the international runway and terminal as ready for use.

All asphalt overlay and lighting-related work on the runway had been completed, and the new international runway and terminal were fully ready.

Terminal designed for two million passengers

The new international passenger terminal covers 17,955 square metres and has been developed to handle approximately two million travellers each year. Its capacity is intended to serve both international and domestic passengers as air traffic expands.

The terminal includes 14 check-in counters and 10 immigration desks, providing the core processing infrastructure required for overseas departures and arrivals. Passenger screening arrangements include seven advanced security scanners and metal detectors. Two large baggage-claim belts have also been installed for arriving travellers.

Other facilities include four escalators, six high-speed lifts and modern boarding bridges. Together, these additions are aimed at making the passenger journey more efficient, from check-in and security clearance through immigration, boarding and baggage collection.

Md Sohel Rana, Substation Engineer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, said the equipment testing and commissioning process had been completed. He said the facility was ready to provide uninterrupted service for roughly two million international and domestic passengers annually.

Testing and commissioning of the equipment had been completed, with the facility prepared to provide uninterrupted services to around 2 million international and domestic passengers annually.

Potential boost for tourism and trade

International operations at Cox’s Bazar could create new opportunities for the local economy. Easier direct access for overseas visitors may strengthen the area’s tourism prospects, while improved air links could also support businesses seeking faster routes to foreign markets.

Local business leaders see particular potential for exports from the district. Dried fish, vegetables and other agricultural products from Cox’s Bazar could gain more direct access to destinations in the Middle East and other international markets. The availability of international flight services may reduce the need for exporters and passengers to rely exclusively on airports elsewhere in the country.

For residents, the terminal represents more than a physical expansion of airport infrastructure. It could improve travel options for people with family, business or employment connections abroad, while also giving local enterprises a closer air gateway for time-sensitive goods.

The start of trial operations will provide an important opportunity to assess the terminal’s passenger-flow arrangements, security equipment, immigration facilities, baggage systems and boarding infrastructure before regular overseas services begin. Such testing is especially important for a new international facility, where multiple airport and aviation processes must operate together without disruption.

October target for full operations

Authorities expect full international flight operations to begin in October after the trial stage. The airport’s readiness will depend on the smooth functioning of its newly commissioned equipment and the coordinated work of aviation, security, immigration and ground-service personnel.

With its extended sea-side runway, upgraded lighting and purpose-built terminal, Cox’s Bazar airport is positioned for a major transition. The planned launch of international flights would mark a new phase for the district, connecting one of Bangladesh’s most prominent coastal destinations more directly with passengers and markets beyond the country’s borders.