CNG auto-rickshaw, taxi or Pathao · About 20–30 minutes to central Sylhet (estimate)
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
IXA7.4+0.9
ZYL6.5
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
IXA6.8+2.3
ZYL4.5
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
IXA5.8+2.3
ZYL3.5
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
IXA7.0+2.0
ZYL5.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
IXA6.2+1.2
ZYL5.0
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
IXA6.6+3.1
ZYL3.5
Best for
IXA
Domestic trips to/from Agartala / Tripura with a short prepaid taxi hopPriority Pass holders using Primus Lounge after CISF (00:00–23:59 / max 2h)Travellers who want the local AAI field instead of routing everything via Guwahati or KolkataCompact single-hall North-East departures without a mega-hub maze
ZYL
Direct Biman flights to London and ManchesterSkipping the transfer at DhakaShort domestic hops to Dhaka
Watch out for
IXA
Screenshot IXA ≠ GAU ≠ IMF ≠ AJL ≠ IXS ≠ CCU — wrong North-East / Bengal IATA is a multi-hour road or extra-flight dayDigiYatra only director-claimed in June 2026 press — confirm live app + signage or plan full CISF queuesInternational-ready CIQ rooms ≠ durable daily foreign nonstops — trust the ticket/FIDSSingle runway 18/36 (2,286 m) — monsoon / North-East weather still needs buffers
ZYL
No lounge for international passengersWinter fog in Dhaka delays flights routed via DhakaFood options not verified; eat before you goAgree CNG and taxi fares before you set off; avoid travelling alone at nightVisa on arrival is officially listed only for Dhaka airport
IXA · AAI-run Tripura capital gateway with a January 2022 integrated terminal about 12 km northwest of Agartala, IndiGo-heavy domestic banks, one live Priority Pass Primus Lounge, and a short prepaid-taxi hop into the city — traded against a single-runway strip, DigiYatra only director-claimed in June 2026 press, and international CIQ rooms that still do not equal durable daily foreign nonstops.
ZYL · Bangladesh's third-largest international airport and the gateway for the UK's Sylheti community. Biman flies to London Heathrow four times a week and Manchester twice a week, both via Sylhet, plus weekly Jeddah and Dubai. SalamAir has flown to Muscat since September 2026. Biman and US-Bangla serve Dhaka about 92 times a week. The single terminal is small and basic, with free Wi-Fi and currency exchange, and the only Priority Pass lounge is on the domestic side. A new international terminal is due in December 2027.
