Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita said it will take a few more months to fully upgrade Cox's Bazar Airport into a complete international facility.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, she noted that discussions are ongoing with several airlines to begin international flight operations from the coastal airport, according to a media report.
The minister said the airport has already received certification from the International Civil Aviation Organisation after meeting required global standards. As part of the upgrade, the runway has been extended from 9,000 feet to 10,700 feet, and a new international terminal spanning nearly 18,000 square metres has been constructed. Testing and commissioning work is now in progress.
Addressing broader aviation issues, she said Biman Bangladesh Airlines continues to provide ground-handling services to both domestic and international carriers and is currently operating at a profit. However, she admitted that a shortage of aircraft remains a key challenge.
Efforts are underway to expand the fleet, including plans to add new aircraft and gradually phase out older ones, while leasing options are being used as a short-term solution. The minister added that service improvements are being prioritised through stricter staff monitoring and expanded online ticketing to reduce passenger inconvenience.
She also said Biman is currently maintaining around 80 percent on-time performance across its domestic and international routes.
Highlighting past fleet expansion, the minister noted that three Dash 8-400 aircraft were added between November 2020 and February 2021 under an agreement with Canada, while two Boeing 787-9 aircraft were acquired from the United States in December 2019. She added that there is no record of irregularities in those procurements.
On regional connectivity, minister said proposals are being reviewed to introduce domestic flights from Bogura, Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon airports. Feasibility studies are also underway for their development, while any plan to build an international airport in Noakhali will require a comprehensive assessment before moving forward.
ATT Desk Report 
