Desk Report:
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, has announced that preparations are currently underway to inaugurate the Cox’s Bazar International Airport this coming November.
He made this statement while addressing a meeting as the chief guest on Monday (October 12, 2026) at 11:00 AM. The meeting, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism at the Bangladesh Secretariat, focused on launching international flights from the newly constructed Cox’s Bazar International Airport.
The meeting featured detailed discussions regarding the infrastructural development of the new airport and the various requirements for launching international flight operations. Country managers from various domestic and international airlines presented their views and plans regarding the operation of direct international flights to and from Cox’s Bazar.
Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat stated that the international airport would play a pivotal role in the journey to transform Cox’s Bazar into a world-class tourist destination. It will enable domestic and international tourists from across the globe to travel directly to Cox’s Bazar. He expressed optimism that this would foster the growth of the tourism industry and have a positive impact on the national economy.
Highlighting the potential for expanding international air connectivity with Cox’s Bazar, the Minister noted that Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, is relatively close to Cox’s Bazar. Given that Yunnan is a landlocked province, establishing direct air links between Cox’s Bazar and Kunming could be a promising venture for airlines such as China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.
He further mentioned that AirAsia is working towards launching direct flights between Penang and Cox’s Bazar. Additionally, he welcomed the interest shown by Flydubai in operating flights on the Cox’s Bazar–Bangkok–Dubai route. The Minister also stated that the government is considering providing financial incentives to airlines to encourage the launch of new international flights. Earlier, at a press briefing with journalists, the Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism stated that the attack in Riyadh had caused temporary disruptions to air travel not only for Bangladesh but across the globe. Due to this situation, the cancellation of ten flights has disrupted the travel plans of over 3,400 passengers.
Noting that necessary instructions have been issued to relevant officials to alleviate passenger hardship, he described the event as a global crisis. He expressed optimism that the situation could be overcome through the cooperation of all parties.
The meeting was presided over by Fahmida Akhtar, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Attendees included Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority; Kaiser Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; other senior officials from the Ministry; and representatives from various domestic and international airlines.
