The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has officially declared Cox’s Bazar Airport an international airport, marking a major milestone for the country’s tourism hub.

A notification signed by Joint Secretary Ahmed Jamil was issued on Sunday (October 12) by order of the President, though it was made public on Monday (October 13).

The order stated, “By virtue of the powers conferred by Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 16 of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, the government has declared Cox’s Bazar Airport as Cox’s Bazar International Airport. This order, issued in the public interest, shall take immediate effect.”

Although the airport has been declared international, it is being opened through a “soft launch” as construction work is still underway.

The upgradation project, launched in 2021, aims to transform Cox’s Bazar into a full-fledged international gateway. Work on a new terminal and other infrastructure improvements is expected to be completed by December this year.

A separate runway expansion project, extending the existing 6,775 feet strip to 9,000 feet to accommodate wide-body aircraft, is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

Once fully operational, Cox’s Bazar International Airport is expected to significantly boost tourism, trade, and connectivity in Bangladesh’s premier seaside destination.