Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC)
Dhaka, BD 🇧🇩 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
VGHS
IATA
DAC
Elevation
30 ft
Region
BD-3
Local Time
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GPS Code: VGHS
Local Code: 5500
Location: 23.843347° N, 90.397783° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Large International Airport
Keywords: VGZR Zia International Airport Dacca International Airport Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (VGHS (DAC)) presents a mixed but generally improving experience for travelers. While historically facing challenges, recent upgrades and the introduction of Terminal 3 have led to a noticeable increase in positive sentiment and passenger satisfaction. Many travelers now report smoother processes, though some inconsistencies persist, particularly concerning older facilities.
What Travelers Love
- New Terminal 3 (T3): Travelers praise the spacious design, modern immigration systems, enhanced security measures, and improved seating arrangements within the newly constructed Terminal 3.
- Friendly and Helpful Staff: Many passengers appreciate the polite, friendly, and welcoming airport staff who are generally willing to assist.
- Improved Immigration and Baggage Handling: Recent reports indicate faster immigration clearance and a 99.8% success rate in luggage delivery, contributing to a smoother arrival experience.
- Strategic Location: The airport's location just 17 kilometers from Dhaka city center makes it easily accessible, with various transportation options available.
- Better Shopping and Currency Exchange: Some travelers note that the airport offers better currency exchange rates and cheaper duty-free shops compared to other international airports.
Common Complaints
- Cleanliness and Air Conditioning in Older Terminals: Travelers frequently mention cleanliness issues in older terminals and washrooms, and inconsistent or poor air conditioning, leading to uncomfortable temperatures.
- Long Wait Times (Peak Hours/Older Terminals): Despite improvements, long queues at immigration and baggage claim can still occur, especially in the older terminals and during peak travel times. Security wait times are estimated around 29 minutes and immigration at 8 minutes, but these can fluctuate.
- Scammers Outside the Airport: A significant concern is the presence of unaffiliated scammers outside the "official" airport who attempt to charge exorbitant fees for baggage handling.
- Slow or Inconsistent Wi-Fi: Many reviews highlight slow Wi-Fi connectivity or difficulties in accessing it, sometimes requiring a local mobile number.
- Traffic Congestion to/from Airport: The heavy traffic in Dhaka can make the journey to and from the airport unpredictable and time-consuming.
Overall, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is undergoing a transition with its new Terminal 3 significantly enhancing the traveler experience. While considerable improvements have been made in efficiency and modernization, visitors should still be prepared for potential challenges in older areas of the airport, particularly regarding cleanliness and congestion, and exercise caution with external services.
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Airport Routes
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) offers 81 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include US-Bangla Airlines, Bangladesh Biman, Novo Air and others. Popular destinations from Dhaka include Kuala Lumpur Int'l, Saidpur, Cox's Bazar, Osmani Int'l and Shah Amanat Int'l (M.A. Hannan Int'l).
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Kuala Lumpur Int'l (KUL) 5
- Saidpur (SPD) 4
- Cox's Bazar (CXB) 4
- Osmani Int'l (ZYL) 4
- Shah Amanat Int'l (M.A. Hannan Int'l) (CGP) 4
- Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL) 3
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) 3
- Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l (BKK) 3
- Dubai Int'l (DXB) 3
- Hamad Int'l (DOH) 3
- Kuwait Int'l (KWI) 3
- Seeb Int'l (MCT) 3
Newly Discovered
- Tribhuvan Int'l (KTM) new
- Hamad Int'l (DOH) new
- Osmani Int'l (ZYL) new
- Dubai Int'l (DXB) new
- Shah Amanat Int'l (M.A. Hannan Int'l) (CGP) new
- Cox's Bazar (CXB) new
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Int'l (CCU) new
- Saidpur (SPD) new
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) new
- Noi Bai Int'l (HAN) new
- Shah Makhdum (RJH) new
- Jessore (JSR) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Hazrat Shahjalal International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US-Bangla Airlines
UBG
/ BS
|
14 | 139 | 14 | Jan 22, 2026 |
|
Bangladesh Biman
BBC
/ BG
|
21 | 126 | 21 | Jan 22, 2026 |
|
Novo Air
NVQ
/ VQ
|
4 | 55 | 4 | Jan 22, 2026 |
|
Air Astra
AWA
/ 2A
|
4 | 39 | 4 | Jan 11, 2026 |
IndiGO
IGO
/ 6E
|
5 | 20 | 5 | Jan 22, 2026 |
Air Arabia
ABY
/ G9
|
1 | 14 | 1 | Sep 20, 2025 |
Saudia
SVA
/ SV
|
3 | 11 | 3 | Jul 26, 2025 |
|
Jazeera Airways
JZR
/ J9
|
1 | 7 | 1 | Jul 26, 2025 |
Qatar Airways
QTR
/ QR
|
1 | 7 | 1 | Jan 19, 2026 |
FlyDubai
FDB
/ FZ
|
1 | 6 | 1 | Jan 5, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
14/32 |
11500 ft | 150 ft | PEM | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | DHAKA APP | 121.3 MHz |
| ATIS | DHAKA ATIS | 127.4 MHz |
| GND | DHAKA GND | 121.8 MHz |
| RDO | DHAKA RDO | 294.7 MHz |
| TWR | DHAKA TWR | 118.3 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Official prepaid airport taxis are available from booths in the arrival hall, offering fixed rates to various city destinations. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Pathao are widely used and can be booked via their mobile apps for pickup at designated points outside the terminal. Traditional yellow taxis and CNG auto-rickshaws are also available, but it is crucial to negotiate the fare before starting your journey as meters are often not used.
Rental Cars
Several local and international car rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall. It is common and often recommended to rent a car with a driver included. Services can be booked on arrival, but pre-booking online is advisable for better rates and guaranteed availability. These services offer a range of vehicles for city travel or longer inter-city trips.
Public Transportation
The Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line-6) provides a modern and fast connection to the city; the nearest station can be reached via a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride from the airport. There are also airport bus services connecting the airport to major hubs like Motijheel and Gulshan. While numerous local public buses stop on the main road outside the airport, they are often very crowded and can be challenging for visitors with luggage.
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