Cox’s Bazar, the most picturesque tourist attraction center in Bangladesh, will undergo a great transformation due to the internationalization of its airport. The government expansion plan also entails extension of its runway into the sea, new terminal building and new modern passenger facilities to accommodate international flights. New air and sea routes are also being planned so as to link Cox’s Bazar with major South Asian cities. These initiatives are focused on the enhancement of tourism, trade and regional connectivity in addition to making the city a global beach destination, to the same level as the Asian resort capitals.
Infrastructure Boost and Connectivity Upgrades
The initiative to expand the Cox’s Bazar Airport is one of the critical moves towards making the airport the fourth international airport in Bangladesh. The newly extended 10,700-ft runway that extends partly into the sea enables the landing of wide-body aircraft and gives it a high level of flight capacity. The new international-designed terminal comprises highly advanced systems of navigation, immigration and cargo.
The administrations are looking to start international flights in the near future and the first destinations will include regional flights to Kolkata, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. The growth is also in addition to the increase in air connectivity; and the expansion is also aimed at supporting a long-term tourism plan of the government to transform Cox’s Bazar into a leisure and business destination. The enhanced airport infrastructures will bring in the private investments in hotels, resorts and logistics, which will generate employment and increase the local revenues.
Tourism Development and New Travel Routes
The airport development is in line with the wider aim of Bangladesh which is to diversify tourism other than the local tourism. Plans are underway to introduce new short-haul international flights to enable more tourists access to Coxbazar by South and Southeast Asians. Direct connections will be made between Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet, and there are possible regional connections between Indian and Southeast cities.
The government is also planning sea routes to complete air travel between the St. Martin Island, Teknaf and the Maheshkhali Island. Road systems, sea drives and green resorts are being improved to receive more high end tourists. The governments are emphasizing on the practices of sustainable tourism such as conserving the 120km long sandy beach of Cox’s Bazar and increasing the international tourist facilities. The master plan imagines the region as a smart tourism zone, where the touch of nature and the contemporary hospitality services mix.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Status / Detail |
| Airport status | Declared an international airport in 2025 |
| Runway length | 10,700 feet (3.26 km), partially built over the sea |
| International flights | Expected to begin later this year |
| Tourism potential | Over 120 km of sandy beach; rising tourist arrivals annually |
| New routes | Proposed links to Kolkata, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and domestic cities |
| Infrastructure impact | Boost to hotel, transport, and logistics industries |
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