Cox’s Bazar Airport set for int'l ops by October: Minister

Cox’s Bazar Airport will start operating as an international airport from October, while authorities are conducting a feasibility study for the possible reopening of Bogura Airport, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Sunday (23 August), the minister said the airport is situated on a total of 941 acres of land. Cox's Bazar Airport is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

The airport serves the residents of Cox's Bazar as well as tourists to the region. It became the country's fourth international airport on 13 October 2025 and now, its international operations will begin from October next.

The minister said the long-awaited Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is scheduled to be inaugurated on 16 December.

He also outlined plans to modernise Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet, saying new Boeing aircraft will be added by 2031.

As an interim measure, 10 aircraft will be leased by December to help maintain and improve the national carrier’s air connectivity. The leased aircraft are expected to begin entering Biman’s fleet next year.

Cox's Bazar Airport started its journey as a domestic airport in 1956. Due to its damage during the 1971 liberation war, it was re-opened as a domestic airport after the end of the war.

The airport is located 1.5 kilometre from Cox's Bazar city and 396 kilometre from Dhaka.