Govt suspends Cox’s Bazar airport’s ‘international’ status

The interim government has decided to suspend the gazette that declared Cox’s Bazar Airport as an international airport just 11 days after it was issued. The information was confirmed on Friday, October 24, by Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser to the Civil Aviation Ministry, who said, “An official decision has been made in this regard.”

Air Commodore Noor-e-Alam, Member of Air Traffic Management (ATM) at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Chairman of the Cox’s Bazar International Flight Operation Committee, told Samakal, “We have heard about the matter verbally but have not received any written notice yet.”

Earlier this month, the government issued a gazette declaring Cox’s Bazar Airport as an international airport. The order, signed by Ahmed Jamil, Joint Secretary of the C1 Division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, was released on October 12 under the authority granted by Rule 16(1) of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984. The notification stated that the declaration would come into effect immediately in the public interest.

Following the gazette, sources at CAAB and Cox’s Bazar International Airport said preparations were underway to begin international flights soon. The airport authorities had confirmed that customs and immigration facilities were already ready, and they were hopeful international operations could commence within the month.

According to information available on the official website of Cox’s Bazar district, the airport’s runway has been expanded from 6,790 feet to 9,000 feet, with plans to widen it from 150 to 200 feet. The runway’s load capacity will be strengthened to accommodate wide-body aircraft, while runway lighting will be upgraded. A new international terminal building of 10,912.49 square feet and a connecting taxiway covering 49,753 square feet are also being constructed.

Currently, Bangladesh has three international airports — Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.