Cox’s Bazar is set to script a new chapter in Bangladesh’s aviation history. After years of anticipation, the seaside tourist town’s airport will officially begin operating as an international facility from October 2, with flights taking off over the waves of the Bay of Bengal.
Thanks to the country’s longest runway, wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s will now be able to land here.
As part of the airport’s expansion project, an additional 1,700 feet of runway has been built entirely over the sea, bringing the total length to 10,700 feet—longer than Shahjalal, Shah Amanat, or Osmani international airports.
Project Coordinator M. Mosharraf Hossain said, “All work on the runway is at its final stage. Painting is nearly complete, and we are on track to finish ahead of schedule.”
While the runway is ready, the terminal building remains under construction.
Passenger reception areas, immigration desks, and conveyor belts are being fast-tracked.
Civil Aviation Authority’s Sub-Assistant Engineer Moin Uddin noted, “It may take until December to complete all facilities, but we are working hard to finish as quickly as possible.”
With this milestone, Cox’s Bazar edges closer to becoming not just a tourism hub but also a gateway connecting Bangladesh more directly to the world.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Courtesy
