A US-Bangla Airlines Boeing 737-800 on Saturday became the first aircraft to connect to a boarding bridge at the new terminal of Cox’s Bazar airport, the airline said.

According to a US-Bangla press release, the airline operated flight BS 145 for the first use of the boarding bridge. The airport authority inaugurated the activity, the statement said. It did not name the officials involved or say whether the bridge is now in regular service.

A boarding bridge allows passengers to walk directly between the terminal building and the aircraft. The airline said the new bridge makes passenger movement more comfortable and adds to modern passenger services at the airport.

US-Bangla said it is committed to ensuring quality service for passengers and is working to provide a safe, comfortable, and hassle-free travel experience. It said it hopes such initiatives will play an important role in improving passenger service.

Trial operations began on Sept 28 at the new international-standard passenger terminal at Cox’s Bazar airport.

The old airport’s short runway and other infrastructure limits meant it could not handle all types of aircraft. The new terminal is part of a project to upgrade the airport to international standards.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat told reporters at the Secretariat on Oct 12 that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would inaugurate Cox’s Bazar International Airport in November.

Cox’s Bazar, known for its long sea beach, is one of Bangladesh’s main tourist destinations and draws large numbers of local and foreign visitors every year.