Dhaka, Oct. 13 -- The Cox's Bazar Airport has officially been granted the status of Bangladesh's fourth international airport.

On Sunday, a government gazette notification declared the airport in the tourism hub of Cox's Bazar as an international facility.

The other facilities with international status are Dhaka's Shahjalal, Sylhet's Osmani, and Chattogram's Shah Amanat airports.

The gazette cites the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, authorising the government to make the declaration "in public interest, effective immediately".

The airport's upgrade began in 2021 under the Awami League government, aiming to attract foreign tourists. The runway was extended from 6,775ft to 9,000ft as part of the project.

Though a change of government initi...