Osmany International Airport (ZYL)

Osmany International Airport (ZYL) is the primary international gateway to the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, a major cultural and economic hub known for its tea gardens and large expatriate population. The airport has a rich history, originally constructed during World War II as Sylhet Civil Airport to serve as a strategic British military outpost. Following Bangladesh's independence, it was renamed in honor of General M. A. G. Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Forces during the 1971 Liberation War, reflecting its deep national significance. The airport is currently the site of a massive US$170 million (Tk 2,780 crore) expansion project, designed to transform it into a world-class aviation facility. This ambitious undertaking includes the construction of a new, state-of-the-art terminal building that will feature six boarding bridges and thirty-six check-in counters. Once completed, the expansion will significantly boost the airport's annual passenger capacity from 600,000 to over 2 million, meeting the increasing demand for direct international travel to and from the United Kingdom and the Middle East. At present, the passenger terminal functions as an integrated facility handling both domestic and international traffic. Travelers have access to essential amenities including comfortable waiting lounges, duty-free retail outlets, currency exchange services, and dedicated prayer rooms. Recent modernizations have introduced advanced baggage screening systems and digital flight information displays to enhance the efficiency of passenger processing. The architectural vision for the new terminal emphasizes a green, sustainable design, incorporating interior tea gardens and courtyards that celebrate Sylhet's natural beauty. Airside infrastructure at ZYL is robust, featuring a 3,120-meter runway (11/29) that is operational 24/7 and equipped with a modern Instrument Landing System (ILS). This allows the airport to safely accommodate large wide-body aircraft, facilitating direct long-haul flights by carriers such as Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The airport remains a vital logistical link for northern Bangladesh, supporting both high-volume passenger travel and significant cargo operations, and its continued development is a cornerstone of the nation's regional growth strategy.