Just traveled in and out of Zia International Airport on international trip. It has improved
since my last visit 4+ years ago. There's a "health desk" at the arrivals hall manned by
health professionals but does not seem to serve any purpose; no one at the immigration desks
that follow ask about the form. Although there are separate immigration counters for
Bangladesh Passport Holders, Non-Resident Bangladeshis, nationals of other South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Foreigners, in effect there are only two
gateways: foreign passport holders and Bangladesh passport holders. The arrivals hall is all
very civilized but the time it takes for the luggage carousels to start delivering checked
luggage varies: it's quicker for day-time arrivals and dreadfully slow during the post mid-
night hours. Departure check-in varies airline to airline; it's a lot quicker if you checked
in online via the web. Departure immigration is no non-sense, friendly and professional.
There are two smoking rooms at either ends of the terminal on the air-side on the departure
level. There are a few duty free shops selling both Bangladeshi export quality products such
as leather bags, cases, shoes etc., as well as stores selling run of the mill duty free stuff
(cigarettes, perfumes). There are not many public phone booths that are working as most
people use cellphones. Not the most interesting place on the face of the earth but there are
worse places to be stuck in that part of the world.
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