Domestic Air Travel: Exploring Bangladesh's Many Airports

Bangladesh has five domestic airports, three international airports, and four STOL (short take-off and landing) ports, with one new domestic airport under construction. The country's busiest airports include Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet. These airports serve as hubs for both domestic and international travel, connecting Bangladesh to the rest of the world and facilitating the growing tourism industry.

Domestic airports in Bangladesh: names and locations

Bangladesh has five domestic airports, three international airports (which are also used for domestic flights), and four STOL (short take-off and landing) ports, with one new domestic airport under construction. Here is a list of the domestic airports in Bangladesh, along with their locations:

• Cox's Bazar Airport (CXB), Cox Bazar: This domestic airport is located 1.5 kilometres from Cox Bazar city. It was established in 1956 and is currently being upgraded to an international airport.
• Jashore Airport (JSR), Jashore: Jashore Airport is a domestic airport in the city of Jashore. It was used as an airbase during World War II, and the full airport operations began in 1956. It is also used by the Bangladesh Air Force as a base and by the Bangladesh Air Force Academy for training purposes.
• Barisal Airport (BZL), Barisal: Barisal Airport is located in the southern district of Barisal. It was established in 1995 and is 12.8 km from the main city of Barisal.
• Shah Makhdum Airport (RJH), Rajshahi: Shah Makhdum Airport is situated at an elevation of 55 feet above sea level in the district of Rajshahi. The airport is approximately 8.1 km from Rajshahi city. It was funded by the Japanese government and began operations in December 2000.
• Saidpur Airport, Saidpur: Saidpur Airport started its operations in 1979 and is located in the Saidpur District, about 3.1 km from the main city. It is currently undergoing major upgrades, with plans to make it one of the biggest international airports in Bangladesh.

In addition to these five domestic airports, the following three international airports in Bangladesh also serve domestic flights:

• Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Dhaka: The largest airport in Bangladesh, located in Kurmitola, about 17-20 km from Dhaka.
• Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP), Chittagong: The second-largest airport in Bangladesh, located about 18.5-20 km from Chittagong.
• Osmani International Airport (ZYL), Sylhet: The third-largest international airport in Bangladesh, located about 15 km northeast of Sylhet city.

International airports in Bangladesh: names and locations

Bangladesh has three international airports, which are also used for domestic flights. These are:

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Dhaka

Also known as the Dhaka Airport, it is the largest airport in Bangladesh. It is located in Kurmitola, 17 kilometres from Dhaka, in the northern part of the city. The airport has five terminals, including a cargo terminal with a capacity of 200,000 tons per annum. The airport was opened in 1980 by then-President Ziaur Rehman.

Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP), Chittagong

The second-largest airport in Bangladesh, located in Patenga City, 18.5 kilometres from Chittagong. The airport was built by the British Government in 1940 as a combat airfield for the United States Army during World War II. It has two terminals, one for international and domestic flights, and one for cargo.

Osmani International Airport (ZYL), Sylhet

The third-largest international airport in Bangladesh, located 15 kilometres to the northeast of Sylhet city. The airport was built during World War II and was made a full-fledged international airport in 2002. There are plans to construct a new passenger building and another cargo building.

Airports in Bangladesh with the most airlines and destinations

Bangladesh has five domestic airports, three international airports (which are also used for domestic flights), and four STOL (short take-off and landing) ports, with one new domestic airport under construction. The country has several airstrips, some of which were built during World War II.

The largest airport in Bangladesh is the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, where 29 airlines operate and serve flights to and from 33 destinations. It is located 20 km from Dhaka and is equipped with two terminals. The airport is shared with the Bangladesh Air Force.

The second-largest airport in Bangladesh is the Shah Amanat International Airport, serving the Chittagong region. The airport is located about 20 km from Patenga and was formerly called the MA Hannan International Airport. It serves as a base for the Bangladesh Air Force and the Arirang Flying School. The airport is equipped with terminals for international and domestic flights and has an air traffic control tower.

The Osmani International Airport in Sylhet and the Cox's Bazar International Airport in Cox's Bazar are the other two international airports in Bangladesh.

The history of airports in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a total of eight airports: three international and five domestic, with one new domestic airport currently under construction. The country's aviation history is a long and fascinating one, dating back to the early 20th century.

During World War II, the British government constructed several airstrips in Bangladesh, then known as East Bengal, to serve as Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) bases. One of these was the Tejgaon Airport, which began construction in 1941 in Dainodda, Dhaka. At the same time, the British erected a landing strip at Kurmitola (Balurghat). The British Air Force used these airstrips to safeguard their aircraft, and both were capable of accommodating the landing of military fighter jets.

In early 1943, the first RIAF light fighter jet landed on Tejgaon's unfinished runway, and after further development, it became the country's first civilian airport. The airport was utilised by the British Air Force and the Ispahani Group, who operated an airliner called Orient Airways, which they established in 1946.

After the partition of India in 1947, Pakistan International Airlines was founded as the national flag carrier, and the Pakistani government took control of both military and civil aviation. As a result, Orient Airways ceased operations. The year 1947 also marked the beginning of domestic and international flights from Tejgaon Airport.

In 1948, the government established the Eastern Pakistan Flying Club to provide pilot training for local youths. By 1956, a branch of the Flying Wing of the Plant Protection Department was also set up in East Pakistan. Tejgaon Airport became increasingly busy, serving flights from various agencies and airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which had acquired piston engine aircraft like the Dakota and Convair.

The development of aviation infrastructure continued, and in the 1960s, PIA introduced Boeing jet services. The Civil Aviation Authority and Airport Development Authority took steps to upgrade Tejgaon airport to meet international standards. During the Pakistani period, several domestic airports were in operation in East Pakistan, including those at Jessore, Chittagong, Thakurgaon, Ishwardi, and Comilla.

Following Bangladesh's independence, the number of airports expanded further, with new ones being built and some older ones being closed down. The Dhaka International Airport, later renamed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, was constructed at Kurmitola in the 1970s to accommodate the growing air traffic. This airport became operational in 1980, taking over from Tejgaon Airport as the principal international airport of the country.

Today, Bangladesh's airports cater to a growing number of tourists and travellers, contributing to the country's vibrant culture and diverse attractions.

The future of airports in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a total of eight airports, out of which there are three international airports and five domestic airports. The country's airport infrastructure is vital for its transport system and tourism industry. The future of airports in Bangladesh looks promising, with ongoing developments and upgrades to meet the growing demand for air travel.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Dhaka:

This is the largest airport in Bangladesh, located in Kurmitola, 17 kilometres from Dhaka. It has five terminals, including an international arrival hall, an international departure hall, a domestic terminal, a VIP terminal, and a cargo terminal. The airport is currently constructing a third terminal to accommodate increasing tourist footfall.

Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP), Chittagong:

The second-largest airport in Bangladesh, located in Patenga City, 18.5 kilometres from Chittagong. It has two terminals, one for international and domestic flights and the other for cargo operations. Built in 1940 as a combat airfield during World War II, it can now handle 1.5 million passengers and 6,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

Osmani International Airport (ZYL), Sylhet:

This is the third-largest international airport in Bangladesh, located 15 kilometres northeast of Sylhet city. It has two terminals, one for international flights and the other for cargo operations. The airport is undergoing development, with a new passenger building and cargo facility under construction.

Cox's Bazar Airport (CXB), Cox Bazar:

A domestic airport located 1.5 kilometres from Cox Bazar city, established in 1956. It is in the process of being upgraded to an international airport, which will provide improved parking, landing, and take-off facilities for wide-body aircraft.

Jashore Airport (JSR), Jashore:

A domestic airport in the city of Jashore, which also serves as a base for the Bangladesh Air Force and a training facility for the Bangladesh Air Force Academy. It is the fifth busiest airport in Bangladesh.

Barisal Airport (BZL), Barisal:

A domestic airport located in the southern district of Barisal, 12.8 kilometres from the city. Established in 1995, it is the sixth busiest airport in Bangladesh in terms of daily flights.

Shah Makhdum Airport (RJH), Rajshahi:

A domestic airport situated at an elevation of 55 feet above sea level in the district of Rajshahi, approximately 8.1 kilometres from the city. Funded by the Japanese government, it began operations in December 2000.

Saidpur Airport, Saidpur:

This airport, located 3.1 kilometres from the city of Saidpur, started operations in 1979. It is currently undergoing significant upgrades, with plans to transform it into one of the biggest international airports in Bangladesh.

The ongoing expansion and modernisation of these airports bode well for the future of aviation in Bangladesh. The enhancements will not only improve passenger experience and capacity but also boost the country's tourism and economic growth. Additionally, the construction of a new domestic airport and the proposed upgrades to existing airports demonstrate the country's commitment to investing in its aviation infrastructure. These developments indicate that Bangladesh's airports will continue to play a crucial role in the country's development and connectivity to the world.

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