Cox’s Bazar Airport’s new terminal begins trial operations
Trial operations have begun at the new international-standard passenger terminal of Cox's Bazar Airport, with passengers using the facility since Monday morning.
Designed to complement the coastal setting of Cox's Bazar, the new terminal features a shell-shaped roof and steel structures decorated with wave-inspired designs. Officials expect the opening of the new facility to significantly reduce passenger congestion and suffering at the airport.
Air Commodore Md Nur-e-Alam, member (ATM) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said the old terminal often had to handle 400 to 500 passengers per flight, and sometimes as many as 550, creating pressure beyond its capacity.
"The new terminal will be formally inaugurated later. For now, it is being operated on a trial basis," he said.
Passengers would have more spacious areas, adequate check-in counters and seating facilities at the new terminal, he said, adding, "The trial operation will also help authorities identify and resolve any operational problems before the facility is formally inaugurated."
Built over an area of around 17,955 square metres, the new international passenger terminal has 14 check-in counters, 10 immigration desks and two modern baggage claim belts. It has also seven security scanners, metal detection systems and separate facilities to hold baggage screening.
The terminal is equipped with four escalators, six lifts, a boarding bridge and modern baggage handling facilities. The approved cost of the project is around Taka 362.63 crore.
According to CAAB sources, the new terminal has the capacity to handle around 20 lakh passengers annually. Testing and commissioning of various imported equipment have already been completed.
Meanwhile, CAAB has said that Cox's Bazar Airport is expected to be declared an international airport by the end of October. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend the declaration ceremony.
Cox's Bazar is home to a 120-kilometre-long sea beach, widely known as the world's longest natural sea beach. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, the number of foreign tourists visiting the area remains
relatively low.
Officials said limitations in the old airport's runway and infrastructure meant that all types of aircraft could not operate flights to Cox's Bazar. As a result, foreign tourists often had to stay in Dhaka before travelling to
Cox's Bazar.
The initiative to upgrade the airport to international standards was undertaken to change the situation.
According to CAAB, the runway has been extended from 9,000 feet to 10,700 feet while the old runway was initially 6,000 feet long which was later extended by another 3,000 feet to 9,000 feet.
