Coxs Bazar International Airport (IATA: CXB, ICAO: VGCB) is a domestic airport in the resort town of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. It is in the process of being upgraded to an international airport. The airport services both local residents of Cox’s Bazar as well as tourists to the region. Cox’s Bazar Airport is undergoing massive expansion, which is due to be completed by 2023.
Coxs Bazar International Airport
Expansion and development
Since 2012, plans to upgrade and expand the airport to allow international arrivals have been underway. Once completed, it would be the fourth international airport in Bangladesh. The two phases of upgrading will let the airport provide better facilities for parking, landing, and take-off for wide-body aircraft such as B777 or A330. The first phase of the upgrade cost ৳6 billion (US$56 million).
Under the first phase in 2012, the runway was lengthened from 6,775 feet to 9,000 feet, and widened from 120 feet to 200 feet. The runway’s load capability was strengthened and the runway lighting also received an upgrade. Equipments such as instrument landing system, distance measuring equipment, AMeDAS, and VOR was installed. Aircraft Refueling (JET A-1) facilities were available from February 2017 by Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited, an Enterprise of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.
Under the second phase, the runway is being expanded by an additional 1,700 feet from current 9,000 feet by reclaiming land from sea. About 1,300-foot stretch of the runway’s expanded portion would be over the sea.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines History
Biman Bangladesh Airlines was established on 4 January 1972 as Bangladesh’s national airline under the Bangladesh Biman Ordinance (Presidential Order No. 126). The initiative to launch the flag carrier was taken by 2,500 former employees, including ten Boeing 707 commanders and seven other former pilots of Pakistan International Airlines, who submitted a proposal to the government on 31 December 1971 following the independence of Bangladesh. The airline was initially called Air Bangladesh but was soon changed to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, its current name.
See more: