The interim government has officially declared Cox’s Bazar Airport as an international airport through a formal gazette notification.
On Sunday, October 12, a notification was issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, signed by Joint Secretary Ahmed Jamil from the CA-1 branch.
The notification states, “In accordance with Rule 16, Sub-rule (1) of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, Cox’s Bazar Airport is hereby declared as Cox’s Bazar International Airport.”
The order, issued in public interest, is to take immediate effect.
Cox’s Bazar Airport has been undergoing development since 2009, with initial work continuing through 2013. In 2015, plans were introduced to upgrade the airport to meet international standards.
In 2021, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) began implementing a full-scale development project to transform the airport into an international one. The project includes the construction of a new terminal and various infrastructure upgrades, expected to be completed by December 2025.
As part of the expansion, the airport’s runway has already been extended from 6,775 feet to 9,000 feet to accommodate larger international aircraft. The full runway expansion project is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
