Dhaka Airport
Lasting Impressions....
"I couldn't decide if the scene at the Dhaka Airport reminded me of the Fall of Saigon or one of those 1980s movies set in southeast Asia where half the population is trying to flee the country during a coup." (Pamela Barrus)
"Zia International is the home base for Bangladesh Biman Airlines, a continually under performer airline when it comes to on time reliability even among third world nations." (?)
"this is a totally uncomfortable and unacceptable airport" (?)
Quick Reference Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date info:
- cushioned leather seats that seem to be falling apart
- crowded
- chaos
- dirty
A few airport reviews from the archives
by sven
"i have waited twice at this airport.on my way from kuala lumpur to frankfurt and on my return fligh.now when taking this connection there is accommodation provided for the 2 night stay on the way to frankfurt and 1 night stay on the way back and the hotels usually keep in contact with the airport so they can drop you of just in time for your flight .though this is the case,i had to wait over 3 hours in the airport both times because of some last minute delay. during my stay in the transit area,i have checked out every square meter and have found two excellent places to sleep. number one is the transit area which no one knows about because of the lack of signs. there you can find cushioned leather seats.they seem to be very old(my guess 70s)and are falling apart but very comfortable to sit on. place number two is the upstairs area.this area is absolutely deserted,with no people whatsoever,because there is absolutely nothin there.it seemed like being in an deserted airport. there one could sleep in peace on the floor.the amenities of the transit area are few.they include a duty free shop,one restaurant,a bistro,two TVs ant two smoking rooms(although one could basically smoke anywhere in this airport).it would be ok sleeping in the transit area.not as bad as many other airports i know. sleeping in the departure/arrival areas on the other hand is not advisable.way too many people and way to filthy."
by ?
"July 13, 1999 - Zia International is the home base for Bangladesh Biman Airlines, a continually underperformer airline when it comes to on time reliability even among third world nations. If you're camped out here, chances are very good that you are waiting anywhere between 2 and 10 hours for a connecting flight which has been delayed for some odd reason or another. Personally, I didn't exactly spend the night here, but definitely about 6 hours waiting for my delayed flight. (yes, delays of 6 hours are rather common at this airport!) As far as amenities go, in the international context, this is a totally uncomfortable and unacceptable airport, but quite typical for the Indian Subcontinent. The extremely limited (2 dozen or so) chairs in the main lobby area the typically uncomfortable molded plastic type that acts as a nice suction cup for the ones with larger rear ends. The floor is one of those that is best left unspoken and untouched by everything except the bottom of the shoes...this place couldn't have possibly been mopped since the days of the last maharaja! If you are lucky enough to get past passport controls and onto the carpeted side, you have some entertainment options. There are about 2 televisions to pass the time or the countless security guards who will ask you to buy duty free cigarettes for them. If you talk to them for long enough, surprisingly the time goes much faster. "
