The government is preparing to inaugurate Cox’s Bazar International Airport in October after investing around Tk 60.08 billion in upgrading the facility. But as the opening approaches, a fundamental question is becoming more pressing: who will actually fly internationally from Cox’s Bazar?

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat recently expressed optimism that international airlines, alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines, would operate from the beach city after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurates the airport.

“Alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines, different international airlines will also operate flights from Cox’s Bazar International Airport,” Millat told members of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB).

The commercial picture, however, is far less encouraging.

No foreign airline has so far committed to the airport, while even Biman is ready to operate only one weekly flight to Kolkata and that too via Dhaka.

A senior Biman official told Aviation Express, requesting anonymity, that the national flag carrier does not currently see sufficient potential for foreign passenger traffic to and from Cox’s Bazar.

“We do not see any potential foreign passenger demand for Cox’s Bazar at this stage. We have agreed to operate a single weekly flight as per the ministry’s decision,” the official said.

The official said foreign airlines might consider Cox’s Bazar only if the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) offers substantial incentives, including exemption from surcharges, landing and take-off fees, and aircraft parking charges.

The assessment exposes a striking disconnect: Bangladesh has built its longest runway for Cox’s Bazar, but airlines, including its own flag carrier, remain unconvinced about the international passenger market.

Longest runway, but where is demand?

The runway has been extended by 1,700 feet into the Bay of Bengal, taking its total length to 10,700 feet—the longest in Bangladesh and capable of handling wide-body aircraft.

But with no committed foreign carrier and Biman planning only a token weekly international service via Dhaka, questions are emerging over whether commercial demand was adequately established before such massive infrastructure investment was undertaken.

Aviation analyst ATM Nazrul Islam said Cox’s Bazar was envisaged as a refuelling and tourism hub, but the destination remains inadequately prepared for international tourism, with around 90% of its visitors being domestic.

He argued that Cox’s Bazar must first be developed into a destination capable of attracting international travellers in meaningful numbers.

US-Bangla Airlines is conducting a feasibility study but has yet to decide on international operations. Its General Manager for Public Relations Kamrul Islam said there is currently insufficient passenger demand between Cox’s Bazar and overseas destinations to make direct international flights commercially viable.

He argued that genuine international status would require foreign airline operations and suggested using Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions to help attract direct tourist flights while simultaneously developing Cox’s Bazar as a complete international destination.

Former Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh President Rafeuzzaman sees potential for direct weekend flights from regional cities, but said better tourism infrastructure and nightlife would be needed to attract overseas visitors.

International airport without international airlines?

CAAB has approached both domestic and foreign airlines seeking operators for Cox’s Bazar, but foreign carriers have yet to respond positively.

It is a familiar problem. Earlier attempts to launch international operations also slipped amid a lack of airline interest. The October inauguration therefore risks delivering international airport status before establishing the international traffic needed to sustain it.

Infrastructure preparations, meanwhile, are largely complete. Project Director Md Younus Bhuiyan told Aviation Express that four immigration desks have been installed at departures and six at arrivals, along with two baggage delivery belts.

The airport has received ICAO certification after verification of international standards, while a 17,955-square-metre international terminal has been developed. Passenger handling capacity is expected to increase from around 730,000 to 1.8 million annually.

The government hopes international connectivity will stimulate tourism, hotels, resorts and investment. But airport infrastructure alone cannot create an aviation market.

With foreign carriers absent and Biman itself seeing little international passenger potential, the challenge is no longer whether Cox’s Bazar can accommodate international aircraft. It is whether there will be enough passengers—and airlines—to fill them.