858 Flights Cancelled at Dhaka Airport Amid Middle East Security Crisis

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has seen the cancellation of 858 flights between February 28 and March 30 noon, following the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries due to heightened security concerns. On Monday alone, 18 flights were cancelled, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

CAAB spokesperson Kawsar Mahmud said that since February 28, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace, forcing Dhaka airport to suspend flights. He confirmed that the wave of cancellations continues.

To ease the disruption, Bangladesh Biman will begin operating a daily flight from Dammam to Dhaka starting March 30. Kuwait Airways is also expected to resume flights on the Dammam–Dhaka route soon. The Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait has intensified efforts to secure easier Saudi transit visas, aiming to help stranded expatriates and new visa holders reach Kuwait. Diplomatic discussions with the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka are ongoing.

In a statement, the embassy noted that Saudi Arabia has become a crucial transit option for Bangladeshi expatriates and workers bound for Kuwait. However, transit visa complications have created obstacles. The embassy expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic efforts will soon yield positive results, making worker travel smoother and reducing long-standing hardships.

The embassy also confirmed that it is coordinating with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CAAB, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Kuwait Airways, and Jazeera Airways to establish regular flights via Saudi Arabia. Additionally, arrangements are being made to provide entry permits for urgent travel needs of expatriates, ensuring continued support for Bangladeshi citizens abroad.

DBTech/FI/MUIM