He said this at a meeting held at the ministry's conference room at the Secretariat on Monday (October 12) on launching international flights at Cox's Bazar International Airport. The meeting discussed the airport's infrastructure development and the launch of new international flights. Representatives of various domestic and foreign airlines presented their views on operating direct flights.

The minister said the international airport will play an important role in developing Cox's Bazar as a tourist destination. Through it, tourists from different parts of the world will be able to come directly to Cox's Bazar.

He said there is a possibility of launching direct air connectivity between Cox's Bazar and Kunming, China. In this regard, China Southern and China Eastern Airlines have the opportunity to play a role. Besides, AirAsia is working with the aim of launching direct flights with Penang. The minister also welcomed flydubai's interest in launching flights on the Cox's Bazar-Bangkok-Dubai route. He also said the government is considering providing financial incentives to airlines to launch new flights.

Earlier, at a press briefing, the minister said the attack in Riyadh caused temporary disruption to air traffic in Bangladesh and around the world. Due to 10 cancelled flights, the travel of more than 3,400 passengers was disrupted. He said necessary instructions have been given to concerned officials to reduce the suffering of passengers.

The meeting, chaired by Secretary Fahmida Akhtar, was attended by Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Kaizer Sohail Ahmed, and representatives of the ministry and domestic and foreign airlines.