About the airport
Osmani International Airport (IATA code ZYL) sits on the northern edge of Sylhet city, named after General M. A. G. Osmani. It handles international flights — including UK services when they operate — plus domestic routes to Dhaka. The airport is run by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
Which flights use Sylhet
- UK: Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated direct London Heathrow–Sylhet and Manchester–Sylhet services; check Biman for the current season's schedule.
- Middle East: carriers have connected Sylhet with Gulf hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah — important for workers and Umrah travellers.
- Domestic: frequent flights to Dhaka (under an hour) operated by Biman and private Bangladeshi airlines.
- Schedules change — always confirm with the airline or CAAB before travelling to the airport.
Arriving at Sylhet
- Immigration: have your passport with visa or NVR endorsement ready; foreign passports without NVR join the visa queue.
- Baggage and customs: collect bags, then declare goods and currency over the allowance; keep receipts for new electronics.
- Meeting family: the arrivals forecourt gets very busy when a UK flight lands — agree a meeting point in advance.
- SIM and money: arrange local currency and connectivity before travelling where possible; check BTRC rules for phones brought from abroad in our mobile phones guide.
Getting to and from the airport
- By car: roughly 20–30 minutes to Zindabazar and the city centre, longer at peak times.
- Hotel shuttle: Hotel Star Pacific and Hotel Noorjahan Grand list paid airport shuttles on Booking.com — arrange before you land.
- Taxi or CNG: agree the fare before setting off; keep small notes.
- Family pickup: the most common option — share your flight number and expected landing time.
Staying near the airport
Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort on Airport Road is the closest large hotel in our verified list. City-centre options around Dargah Gate and Shahjalal Uposhohor are 20–30 minutes away.
Official sources
Common questions
What is the airport code for Sylhet?
ZYL — Osmani International Airport, on the north side of Sylhet city.
How do I get from Sylhet airport to the city centre?
By car it is usually 20–30 minutes to Zindabazar. Family pickup, a hotel shuttle or a taxi with an agreed fare are the usual options.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Sylhet?
Biman has operated direct London Heathrow and Manchester services; frequency changes by season, so confirm on Biman's timetable.
Checked 22 October 2026. Rules, fees and timetables change — confirm with the official source before you travel or pay. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.