Cox's Bazar Airport

Cox's Bazar Airport
source
Name	Cox's Bazar Airport
Iata	CXB
Icao	VGCB
Type	Public / Military
Owner	Bangladesh
Operator	Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh
City-served	Cox's Bazar
Location	Chittagong Division
Elevation-ft	18

Cox's Bazar Airport is an airport serving Cox's Bazar, a coastal city in Chittagong Division in southeastern Bangladesh. The airport functions as both a civilian aerodrome and a facility with military use by the Bangladesh Air Force, linking regional hubs such as Dhaka, Chittagong, and international points including Yangon and Kolkata. It supports tourism to the Cox's Bazar beach, humanitarian operations related to the Rohingya conflict, and strategic connectivity for Bay of Bengal maritime activities.

History

The site began as a small airstrip used during the late 20th century, with early improvements influenced by projects from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and assistance from foreign partners such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and contractors linked to China. Expansion phases accelerated after increased tourist arrivals to Cox's Bazar beach and following humanitarian operations associated with the Rohingya refugee crisis, prompting involvement from agencies including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and International Organization for Migration. Milestones include runway extensions and terminal upgrades tied to national initiatives under administrations led by figures in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (Bangladesh), reflecting broader infrastructure trends seen alongside projects like Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport modernization and port works at Chittagong Port.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The airport possesses a reinforced asphalt runway designated 17/35, apron stands, a passenger terminal, air traffic control tower, and ancillary facilities maintained by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. Navigational aids have been progressively upgraded with equipment comparable to systems at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, incorporating instrument landing capabilities to improve resilience during monsoon season influenced by Bay of Bengal cyclones such as Cyclone Sidr and Cyclone Mora. Military facilities supporting the Bangladesh Air Force are co-located, and rescue and firefighting services adhere to standards seen in regional hubs like Sultan Abdul Halim Airport and Tribhuvan International Airport.

Airlines and Destinations

Domestic carriers operating scheduled flights have included Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, and NovoAir, providing connections to Dhaka, Chittagong, and seasonal links to Saidpur. Charter and international services have been trialed linking to cities such as Kolkata, Yangon, and tourist gateways connected to Bangkok. The airport has hosted operations by private operators for VIP movements involving dignitaries from entities like SAARC delegations and humanitarian flights coordinated with United Nations agencies.

Operations and Statistics

Passenger throughput has grown in line with tourism trends to Cox's Bazar beach and regional development programs such as the Padma Bridge era uplift, with annual movements reflecting spikes during winter tourist seasons and holiday periods tied to observances like Eid al-Fitr. Cargo operations remain limited but expand as supply chains serving resorts and relief operations coordinate with logistics platforms similar to those using Chittagong Port and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Air traffic control coordinates regional airspace adjacent to routes used by flights bound for Shillong and Indian air corridors, integrating procedures aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Access and Ground Transportation

Ground access includes road links via the Cox's Bazar–Teknaf road and connections to regional bus services that operate between Cox's Bazar and cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong. Taxi and private car services serve resorts along the Cox's Bazar beach corridor, while future multimodal integration plans reference parallels with projects at Kolkata and Chattogram. Logistics for humanitarian relief have utilized convoy routes coordinated with agencies like the Bangladesh Armed Forces and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Accidents and Incidents

Operations have recorded incidents consistent with regional aviation histories, including runway excursions and birdstrike events reported in local media and investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. The airport has implemented safety measures influenced by investigations and recommendations similar to those applied following incidents at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and regional aerodromes.

Future Developments and Expansion Plans

Planned upgrades have included runway lengthening, new terminal construction, enhanced radar and navigational aids, and expanded apron capacity to support widebody operations, with proposals drawing on financing and technical collaboration models used in projects involving the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Asian Development Bank, and bilateral partners such as China. Strategic plans aim to position the airport as a regional tourism and humanitarian hub comparable to developments at Phuket International Airport and Ngurah Rai International Airport, while supporting national connectivity objectives tied to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (Bangladesh) and infrastructure frameworks similar to the Bangladesh Delta Plan.

Category:Airports in Bangladesh