Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia has confirmed plans to operate direct flights between Cox's Bazar and Penang, marking a significant development in Bangladesh's efforts to internationalise its premier beach destination.

"AirAsia has confirmed that it will operate direct flights to Cox's Bazar," Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat told BSS tody adding that the proposed service would connect the tourist city with Penang in Malaysia.

The development comes as the government prepares to formally inaugurate Cox's Bazar International Airport this month, with plans to attract foreign airlines and establish direct international connectivity from the world's longest natural sea beach.

"Alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines, different international airlines will also operate flights from Cox's Bazar International Airport," he said adding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would formally inaugurate Cox's Bazar International Airport.

Millat said the government was simultaneously working on several other international routes especially the landlocked cities to transform Cox's Bazar into a regional tourism and aviation destination.

"We are planning to commence direct flights on the Cox's Bazar-Kathmandu-Cox's Bazar route," he said.

The minister said initiatives were also underway to establish direct air connectivity between Cox's Bazar and Kunming in China's Yunnan province, targeting Chinese tourists from the country's southwestern and inland regions.

He said the government was exploring opportunities to attract tourists from Middle Eastern countries through direct air connections with Cox's Bazar.

The proposed routes form part of a broader strategy to position the coastal city as an international tourism gateway rather than a destination dependent primarily on domestic visitors.

The minister, however, did not specify when AirAsia would commence operations or disclose the proposed flight frequency.

AirAsia's reported commitment represents an important development for Cox's Bazar, where the government has invested heavily in airport infrastructure while pursuing international airline participation.

The minister had said the government was maintaining communication with international airlines to establish direct overseas connections from the country's leading tourism destination.

The latest development indicates progress in those efforts, with AirAsia emerging as a prospective foreign operator for the airport.

Meanwhile, the newly constructed passenger terminal at Cox's Bazar airport began domestic operations from Monday last following preparations supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan said that the terminal would initially handle domestic passengers before adopting a hybrid arrangement once international operation commenced.

Under the proposed arrangement, international arrivals and departures would use the new terminal, while domestic arrivals would continue through the existing terminal.

Domestic departing passengers would complete check-in formalities at the new terminal before proceeding to the old terminal for boarding.

The new international terminal, covering approximately 17,956 square metres, has been developed under a project costing around Tk 362.63 crore.

It is equipped with modern passenger-handling facilities, including check-in counters, immigration facilities, baggage delivery belts, security screening equipment, lifts, escalators and a boarding bridge.

The expansion is expected to increase the airport's annual passenger-handling capacity from approximately 730,000 to 1.8 million.

CAAB has also extended the runway from 9,000 feet to 10,700 feet by reclaiming around 43 hectares of land from the Bay of Bengal.

The extended runway, now the longest in Bangladesh, is designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft and support international operations.

The government expects direct connectivity with Malaysia, Nepal, China and potentially Middle Eastern destinations to help attract foreign tourists, encourage investment in hotels and resorts, and expand employment opportunities in the tourism sector.

Former president of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) Md Rafeuzzaman stressed that international airline operations, competitive airport charges and destination development would be crucial to ensuring the commercial sustainability of Cox's Bazar as an international aviation gateway.

With the new terminal becoming operational and the formal international inauguration approaching, the government's immediate priority should be translate airline interest into scheduled international services.