Elevating travel experience

Md. Ahsan-uz Zaman, 
MD &CEO, 
Midland Bank PLC.

To gain a deeper understanding of the evolving role of airport lounges and premium card services within Bangladesh's booming aviation sector, The Daily Star spoke to Md. Ahsan-uz Zaman, the Managing Director and CEO of Midland Bank PLC.

The Daily Star (TDS): Which card tiers include lounge access? (Silver, Gold, Platinum, etc.) Tell us about their facilities and any premium services available.

Md. Ahsan-uz Zaman (AZ): Cards in Bangladesh offer lounge access primarily at the Gold, Platinum, Signature and Infinity levels. Gold cards typically provide limited complimentary visits to selected domestic lounges with amenities such as refreshments and Wi-Fi. Platinum and Signature cards extend more premium benefits, including multiple visits to international VIP lounges under LoungeKey and Priority Pass partnerships. Facilities often include comfortable seating, quality food and beverages, shower facilities, and dedicated customer service for a refined and relaxing travel experience.

TDS: In the past years, how many cardholders used lounge access, by card tier?

AZ: Midland Bank focuses on customer convenience by providing international lounge access to both Gold and Platinum cardholders. While the number of Gold cardholders is higher, Platinum cardholders are the main users of the lounge facilities. This is because Platinum cardholders tend to travel more frequently and seek premium experiences, making lounge access a significant benefit for them.

TDS: How many lounges (domestic and international) are accessible to your cardholders, and which card tiers qualify?

AZ: Midland Bank credit cardholders currently have access to only one international lounge: "The Balaka Executive Lounge" at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka. There are no domestic lounge facilities available at this time. The Gold and Platinum Visa credit cards both qualify for complimentary access to the Balaka lounge. Primary and supplementary cardholders receive a total of 12 complimentary visits per year, with each visit allowing one accompanying companion at no additional charge.

TDS: How are you adapting premium card offerings to meet global standards, and what challenges or opportunities do you see for wider adoption in Bangladesh?

AZ: We are aligning premium card offerings with global standards by launching the Visa Signature credit card in partnership with LoungeKey, targeting both premium and mid-segment customers. This complements our existing Gold and Platinum Visa cards, which already provide airport lounge facilities.

Challenges in Bangladesh include limited digital payment infrastructure outside urban centres and lower overall financial inclusion, which may slow wider adoption. However, the rapidly expanding cards market in Bangladesh, projected to grow at a 21.5% CAGR in transaction volume by 2031, provides a strong opportunity (6Wresearch, Statista Market Forecast). The growing middle class and affluent consumers are increasingly drawn to premium, secure, and convenient payment solutions.

TDS: How do you see Bangladesh's air travel evolving over the next five years, and what role will lounges play in enhancing that journey?

AZ: Bangladesh's air travel is set to nearly double by 2030, with annual growth rates projected at 6% for international and 8% for domestic flights.

Lounges will play an increasingly important role in elevating the overall travel experience in Bangladesh. As more passengers travel internationally and domestically, airport lounges will become key spaces for comfort, productivity, and relaxation.