Cox’s Bazar’s long-awaited international aviation ambitions are taking shape, with Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia confirming plans for direct flights linking Bangladesh’s premier beach destination with Penang.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat disclosed the development with the Aviation Express, outlining a wider push for overseas connections as the government prepares to formally inaugurate Cox’s Bazar International Airport in October.

“AirAsia has confirmed that it will operate direct flights to Cox's Bazar,” Millat said, adding that the proposed service would connect the coastal city with Penang in Malaysia.

The minister did not announce a launch date or flight frequency. Those details will determine when the proposed connection becomes a scheduled service, opening a new international gateway for the country’s tourism industry.

For Cox’s Bazar, the prospect comes at a significant moment. Its new passenger terminal has begun domestic operations, while an extended runway and international passenger facilities provide the infrastructure for the next stage of expansion.

From domestic destination to international gateway

The government’s ambition extends beyond a single Malaysian connection. Millat said it was pursuing routes to Nepal and China, alongside opportunities to bring visitors from the Middle East.

“Alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines, different international airlines will also operate flights from Cox's Bazar International Airport,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would formally inaugurate the international airport, the minister added.

Direct overseas services would give foreign visitors an alternative to travelling through Dhaka before reaching Cox’s Bazar. For the tourism industry, the proposed connections offer a chance to broaden a visitor base that remains heavily dependent on the domestic market.

Millat said the government was particularly interested in linking Cox’s Bazar with inland destinations and markets with potential demand for beach holidays.

“We are planning to commence direct flights on the Cox's Bazar-Kathmandu-Cox's Bazar route,” he said.

Initiatives were also underway to establish a connection with Kunming in China’s Yunnan province, targeting tourists from southwestern and inland China.

The minister said the government was exploring direct air links with Middle Eastern countries to attract visitors from those markets.

Together, the proposed routes reflect an effort to place Cox’s Bazar on the regional tourism map. Their commercial success, however, will depend on turning that ambition into regular flights supported by sustained passenger demand.

New terminal enters service

The newly constructed passenger terminal began handling domestic passengers on September 28, following preparations supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan said the terminal would initially serve domestic travellers before moving to a hybrid arrangement when international flights begin.

Under that arrangement, international arrivals and departures would use the new terminal, while domestic arrivals would continue through the existing facility.

Domestic departing passengers would check in at the new terminal before proceeding to the old terminal for boarding.

The arrangement sets out how the airport plans to accommodate both categories of passengers as international services are introduced.

Covering approximately 17,956 square metres, the new terminal has been developed under a project costing around Tk 362.63 crore.

Its facilities include check-in counters, immigration facilities, baggage delivery belts, security screening equipment, lifts, escalators, and a boarding bridge.

The expansion is expected to raise annual passenger-handling capacity from approximately 730,000 to 1.8 million, providing room for growth in both domestic and international traffic.

A longer runway, a bigger ambition

Alongside the terminal development, CAAB has extended the runway from 9,000 feet to 10,700 feet, reclaiming around 43 hectares of land from the Bay of Bengal.

The extended runway, now the longest in Bangladesh, is designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft and support international operations.

The investment gives Cox’s Bazar a stronger infrastructure base for attracting overseas airlines. The next challenge is to secure services that can operate consistently and build traffic beyond an inaugural flight.

The government expects international connectivity to encourage investment in hotels and resorts, create tourism jobs, and bring more foreign visitors to the coastal destination.

Direct links with Malaysia, Nepal, and China could also widen the range of markets available to local tourism businesses, while prospective Middle Eastern connections would extend that reach further.

Making the routes work

Former Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh president Md Rafeuzzaman stressed that international airline operations, competitive airport charges, and destination development would be crucial to the commercial sustainability of Cox’s Bazar as an international aviation gateway.

His assessment points to the work ahead. Airport capacity must be matched by viable airline operations and a destination capable of attracting repeat business from overseas markets.

AirAsia’s commitment, as conveyed by the minister, is a significant step. A confirmed launch date, operating schedule, and flight frequency would give tourism businesses a firmer basis for preparing packages and promoting the route.

With the terminal now operational and the formal international inauguration approaching, Cox’s Bazar is entering a decisive phase. Translating airline interest into scheduled services will determine how quickly its new infrastructure delivers the international tourism growth envisioned.