The coastal resort town’s airport has been the focus of major government efforts to upgrade it for international operations, but as of late October 2025 the plan has faced a major setback. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued a directive temporarily suspending all international flight operations at Cox’s Bazar Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has long been working to transform the airport into a full-fledged international facility. The runway was extended from about 6,775 feet to about 9,000 feet to allow the operation of larger aircraft and regional connectivity. In mid-2025, CAAB officials stated that the airport would be ready for international flights by July.

However, several aviation analysts and industry observers pointed out that key infrastructure was not yet ready. The new terminal building, customs and immigration facilities, and international safety certifications were still incomplete. Some reports said that even domestic operations were being handled under pressure due to limited terminal space, making it unclear how international flights could begin so soon.

On October 12, 2025, the government officially declared Cox’s Bazar Airport as Bangladesh’s fourth international airport. But within less than two weeks, the decision was reversed. A new directive from the ministry stated that until further notice, the airport would not be used for scheduled or non-scheduled international flights, or even emergency landings.

Officials from the ministry and CAAB confirmed that the earlier notification granting “international” status had been suspended. Although no detailed reason was mentioned in the new order, industry insiders and aviation sources said that airlines had shown little interest in operating international flights from Cox’s Bazar due to low commercial viability.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines had planned to start a Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka–Kolkata route in October, but the plan was halted before the first flight took off. Other airlines also found it financially unfeasible to operate international services from the tourist city given its current passenger demand and infrastructure limitations.

The suspension comes as a disappointment for local tourism stakeholders who had hoped that the international status would boost foreign arrivals and strengthen Cox’s Bazar’s image as a global tourist destination. Experts say that without sufficient infrastructure and airline commitment, international operations would have faced serious operational challenges.

For now, the ministry has instructed all agencies to comply with the suspension order until further notice. Future international operations will depend on completion of necessary facilities, acquisition of international certifications, and the confirmation of viable airline routes.