International flights from Cox’s Bazar Airport may begin in October, says CAAB chief

Terminal construction is due to be completed by December this year, with only 17 percent work left

Cox’s Bazar Airport could begin handling international flights in October, according to Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

He visited the airport on Sunday to inspect the progress of the new terminal and extended runway.

“A team from Civil Aviation headquarters has come with me. We hope that by mid-October this airport will be partially ready to operate international flights,” he said.

“This airport will not only boost tourism but also play a significant role in the country’s economic development. Cox’s Bazar will become an international destination,” Mostafa added.

When asked about the percentage of work completed, he replied: “I will not go into figures, but I can say that by mid-October partial flight operations may begin.”

Project Director Yunus Bhuiyan told bdnews24.com that the runway construction project is scheduled to be completed by December 2026.

“So far, 85 percent of the work has been completed. Remaining tasks include runway safety works, lighting, drainage, and construction of the outer road,” he said.

As for the terminal, Yunus added that construction is due to be completed by December this year, with 83 percent of the work already finished.

Efforts to upgrade Cox’s Bazar into the country’s fourth international airport began in 2021.