The government has suspended the gazette notification that declared Cox’s Bazar Domestic Airport as an international airport, delaying the much-anticipated launch of international flights from the country’s prime tourist destination.
Air Commodore Md Nur-E-Azam, president of the International Flight Operation Committee and director of the Cox’s Bazar Airport, confirmed the development to the media on Friday.
According to sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the government has put the declaration on hold until further notice. Domestic flights will continue to operate as usual in the meantime.
Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism had issued a gazette declaring Cox’s Bazar as an international airport, marking a major step toward launching cross-border flight operations. However, officials stated that they suspended the declaration due to incomplete infrastructural and administrative preparations.
Authorities had hoped that introducing international flights to Cox’s Bazar would give rise to new tourism and regional connectivity, with potential routes linking the beach city directly to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and India.
For now, travelers and tourism stakeholders will have to wait a little longer for Cox’s Bazar’s long-awaited international takeoff.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
File Photo
