A new chapter has opened in Bangladesh’s aviation history—the Cox’s Bazar International Airport.
Recently recognized as the country’s fourth international airport, its distinction lies in the title and its extraordinary engineering marvel. This runway extends into the Bay of Bengal.
The 1,700-foot runway expansion is now 10,700 feet long, the longest in Bangladesh. It is breathtaking because much of it has been built over the sea.
Standing on the beach at Nazirartek, at the far end of Cox’s Bazar Municipality, one can now witness a spectacular sight—planes descending almost to the touch of the waves or soaring skyward above the deep blue waters.
The scene feels straight out of a movie. Especially during sunset, when golden light glimmers over the waves, aircraft taking off or landing create a surreal, cinematic experience, quickly becoming a local attraction.
Currently, the airport serves only domestic flights. Still, the completion of new infrastructure will soon initiate international operations. Hundreds of locals and visitors flock to Nazirartek daily to witness this once-in-a-lifetime view.
Many say, “We used to see such scenes only in foreign films—now we see them here, in our own Cox’s Bazar. It fills us with pride.”
According to Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, president of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, once it becomes fully international, the upgraded airport will become one of South Asia’s most attractive aviation hubs.
He believes it will multiply tourist arrivals, attract foreign travelers, and foster a new aviation-driven tourism economy centered on Cox’s Bazar—boosting the hotel, resort, and service sectors.
Now, in one breathtaking frame, Cox’s Bazar unites two worlds—the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal and the planes gliding through the sky.
This sea-touching runway is more than just an engineering feat—it symbolizes the future, where development and nature meet in perfect harmony.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
