Bangladesh’s government has officially declared Cox’s Bazar Airport as the country’s fourth international airport, marking a major step in its drive to modernise aviation infrastructure and boost tourism along the Bay of Bengal coastline.
A government gazette issued on Sunday confirmed the decision, invoking the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, to grant the facility international status “in the public interest”, effective immediately.
The country’s other international airports are Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, and Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram. With Cox’s Bazar now added, Bangladesh operates a total of 21 civilian airports, of which 8 are currently operational for scheduled flights.
Chinese firm leading development
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has awarded the main development contract for Cox’s Bazar Airport to a Chinese construction consortium, led by Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG). The upgrade project, launched in 2021 under the Awami League government, includes the extension of the runway from 6,775 feet to 10,700 feet, allowing the airport to handle wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s.
Additional works include new taxiways, an expanded apron, improved navigational aids, and terminal modernisation to meet international safety and service standards. The long-term goal is to establish Cox’s Bazar as a regional aviation hub serving both tourism and cargo logistics for the southern region.
Continuity under the new government
Although the change of government initially raised uncertainty about the project’s future, construction continued without disruption. In March, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus personally inspected the site, followed by several review visits by senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and CAAB, who reaffirmed the project’s strategic importance.
Operational prospects
Despite the government’s ambition to attract foreign carriers, private Bangladeshi airlines have shown little interest, citing limited profitability for routes from Cox’s Bazar to Middle Eastern or European destinations.
State-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines, however, plans to commence operations this month on a Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka–Kolkata route, becoming the first airline to make use of the new international designation.
Annex: Cox’s Bazar Airport — Vital Statistics
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Cox’s Bazar International Airport (CXB) |
| IATA / ICAO Codes | CXB / VGCB |
| Location | Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh |
| Elevation | 12 ft (4 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway Orientation | 17/35 |
| Runway Length | 10,700 ft (3,200 m) |
| Runway Type | Asphalt, extended over reclaimed coastal land |
| Aircraft Capacity | Capable of handling Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 class aircraft |
| Project Phases | Phase 1: Runway and apron expansion; Phase 2: Terminal and navigation systems |
| Primary Contractor | Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), China |
| Supervising Authority | Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) |
| Project Initiation | 2021 |
| Estimated Project Cost | Approximately USD 200 million (BDT 2,000 crore) |
| Expected Completion | Late 2025 |
| Current Status | Declared international; development ongoing |
| Passenger Movement (2024) | Approximately 48,000 |
