Dhaka-Cox's Bazar train will start operation by September this year, said Railway Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan on Tuesday. The Minister revealed the information at the iconic station building in Cox’s Bazar during a visit to Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail line construction work. Also Read: Padma Bridge Rail Link: 75% complete, on course for June 2024 handover He said, "Among the ten priority projects of the government, two are currently underway in the railway sector. The first one is the Padma bridge rail link project, and the second is Dohazari-Cox's Bazar new rail line construction project." Responding to questions regarding the potential challenges posed by the Kalurghat bridge, the minister assured that an expert team is diligently working on the renovation of the bridge. Also Read: Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar rail line to open this year: Railways Minister He said, "We have taken steps to renovate the bridge based on the recommendations of the expert team. There will be no obstacles to operating train once the necessary renovations are complete." The Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway construction project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), involves the construction of a new 101 km dual gauge single line connecting Dohazari to Cox's Bazar via Ramu. Once completed, it will be connected with the Trans-Asian Railway Corridor.    

Bangladesh’s newest private airline, Air Astra, started its journey this morning with hundred percent passengers on flight 2A 441, from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar. Air Astra will operate three flights on Dhaka-Cox's Bazar-Dhaka route and two flights on Dhaka-Chattogram-Dhaka route from today (Thursday), said a press release signed by Sakib Hasan Shuvo, deputy manager (Public Relations) of the organisation. Read more: 'Air Incheon-Korean Airlines’ introduces direct cargo flight from Bangladesh to South Korea The airline will launch flights on all domestic routes in the country in phases, it read.  The minimum one-way fare, from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, was set at Tk 4,800 and Dhaka-Chattogram Tk 3,695. Read more: Newest private airline ‘Air Astra’ set to start journey Air Astra has already taken delivery of two ATR 72-600 aircraft in Dhaka and two more aircraft are scheduled to be delivered within 2022. By 2023, Air Astra’s fleet will grow to 10 aircraft.

US Bangla and NOVOAIR airlines will resume flight operations on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route from Tuesday (June 01, 2021) after nearly two months of suspension. US Bangla will operate two flights on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route every day following health guidelines as per the directives of the Civil Aviation Authorities of Bangladesh (CAAB). Read Bangladesh to resume commercial flights on select routes The flights will leave Dhaka at 9:30 am and 3:30  pm in a day while from Cox’s Bazar the flights will fly to Dhaka at 11:05 am and 5:05 pm. The US Bangla will operate Boeing 737-800 aircrafts on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka route The authorities concerned have fixed  minimum fare at Tk 4299 for one way journey on the route with tax and surcharge while  the fare will be Tk 8,598 including return facility .   Read:More people return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight Besides, NOVOAIR is set to resume its flights on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route on Tuesday. Two flights will operate on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar routes daily. NOVOAIR has also announced 10% discount for all destination on the ticket fares for SMILES members. Cox’s Bazar flights were suspended from April 5 as per the government directive to prevent coronavirus infection. SMILES members can purchase tickets through NOVOAIR sales offices from June 1 to July 31, 2021. Read: Biman to resume flights to Saudi Arabia from May 29 In addition, any valuable passenger can enjoy this offer by enrolled SMILES membership from NOVOAIR sales offices or website. NOVOAIR is the first Bangladeshi airline to launch Frequent Flyers programme "SMILES" from 2013 to provide special services to the passengers.