Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ( "Hôzrôt Shahjalal Antôrjatik Bimanbôndôr") ( formerly VGZR) is the largest and most prominent international airport in Bangladesh. It is located in Kurmitola, from the city centre, in the northern part of the capital city Dhaka. Part of it is Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu. The airport has an area of . The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) operates and maintains the airport. It started operations in 1980, taking over from Tejgaon Airport as the principal international airport of the country. The airport was formerly known as Dacca International Airport and later as Zia International Airport, before being named in honour of Shah Jalal, who is one of the most respected Sufi saints of Bangladesh. The IATA code of the airport "DAC" is derived from "Dacca", which is the previously used spelling for "Dhaka".