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Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Bangladesh's primary international gateway serving Dhaka.
- ›Named after the 14th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Jalal of Sylhet.
- ›It is the busiest airport in Bangladesh by passenger volume.
- ›A new third terminal, designed by a Japanese firm, is expected to increase annual capacity to around 20 million passengers.
- ›The airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
- ›Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier, is headquartered at this airport.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, named after the revered Sufi saint, has served as Bangladesh's primary international hub since opening in 1980, replacing the older Tejgaon Airport. Located in the Kurmitola area of northern Dhaka, it handles the vast majority of the country's international passenger and cargo traffic. A major expansion project, including a new third terminal, has been underway to modernize facilities and significantly increase annual capacity.
- Terminal 1 (Domestic) — Handles domestic flights connecting Dhaka to cities like Chittagong, Sylhet, and Cox's Bazar.
- Terminal 2 (International) — The primary terminal for international departures and arrivals, home to most full-service and budget international carriers.
- Terminal 3 (Under Development) — A state-of-the-art new terminal under construction designed to triple the airport's passenger handling capacity upon completion.
- Airport taxis and ride-hailing apps (Pathao, Uber) available at designated pick-up zones
- CNG auto-rickshaws for shorter distances into northern Dhaka
- BRTC public buses connecting the airport to various city points
- Private car hire and pre-booked hotel transfers
- Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor planned to improve connectivity
- Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden
- Le Méridien Dhaka
- The Westin Dhaka
- Hotel Sarina Dhaka
- Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a modest selection of cafes, fast food outlets, and local Bangladeshi eateries offering rice dishes and snacks. International chains have a limited presence airside, so options can feel restricted during peak hours. For a wider variety of cuisine, the nearby Banani and Gulshan neighbourhoods offer everything from traditional Bengali fare to international restaurants.
- Arrive at least three hours before international flights as security and immigration queues can be lengthy, especially during Eid travel seasons.
- Exchange a small amount of currency at the airport upon arrival, but better rates are typically found at city banks or authorized money changers.
- Negotiate taxi fares before boarding CNG auto-rickshaws, or use app-based ride services to avoid overcharging.
- Keep your luggage tags and boarding pass handy as there is an exit baggage check before leaving the arrivals hall.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka is the main international airport serving Dhaka City, the capital city of Bangladesh, and it is the largest airport in the country. It is located in Kurmitola, 17 km (11 mi) from the city centre, in the northern part of Dhaka. The airport is also used as a base for the Bangladesh Air Force, named BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker. The airport has an area of 802 hectares. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) operates and maintains the airport. It started operations in 1980, taking over from Tejgaon Airport as the principal international airport of the country. The airport was formerly known as Dacca International Airport and later as Zia International Airport, before being named in honour of Shah Jalal, who is one of the most respected Sufi saints of Bangladesh. The IATA code of the airport, "DAC", is derived from "Dacca", which is the previously used spelling for "Dhaka".
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