Air travel between Bangladesh and the Middle East has been severely disrupted as escalating regional tensions force multiple countries to close their airspace. The crisis followed recent military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, prompting heightened security concerns across the region. Since Saturday afternoon, several Middle Eastern states have temporarily restricted or suspended flights through their airspace, triggering widespread cancellations and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at airports.
The situation has directly affected operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, where passengers bound for Middle Eastern destinations have been facing significant uncertainty and distress. According to airport authorities, a total of 176 flights between Dhaka and various Middle Eastern cities had been cancelled by Wednesday due to security risks and airspace restrictions.
The disruption has particularly affected migrant workers and travellers attempting to return to their jobs in Gulf countries. Many have spent long hours—sometimes days—waiting at the airport terminal without clear information about when flights might resume. Others remain stranded in Middle Eastern cities, unable to return to Bangladesh because airlines have suspended most services.
Officials say the situation is unlikely to normalise until the regional security climate improves. In the meantime, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has begun collecting information from affected migrant workers whose visas may soon expire due to the travel disruption. The ministry has also requested host countries to show flexibility in cases where visa validity periods may lapse. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly responded positively to this request.
A Bangladeshi businessman stranded in Dubai, Majedul Islam, said he travelled there last month for business and had booked a return flight with Emirates. “My flight has been cancelled and I have no idea when I will be able to return home,” he said, expressing frustration at the uncertainty.
Airport Executive Director Group Captain S. M. Ragib Samad explained that several countries—including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan—have temporarily closed their airspace. As a result, airlines have been forced to cancel numerous flights over the past five days. Passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines before travelling to the airport to confirm the status of their flights.
The cancellations by date are summarised below:
| Date | Number of Flights Cancelled |
|---|---|
| 28 February | 23 |
| 1 March | 40 |
| 2 March | 46 |
| 3 March | 39 |
| Wednesday | 28 |
| Total | 176 |
Among the airlines affected are Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and US-Bangla Airlines.
At the airport, scenes of frustration are increasingly common. Travellers report receiving inconsistent or delayed information from airlines and travel agencies, leaving many unsure whether to wait, reschedule, or seek refunds.
One passenger from Feni, Yar Ali, said he arrived in Dhaka expecting to board an evening Emirates flight but discovered upon arrival that the flight had already been cancelled. “If I had received a message earlier, I would not have travelled all the way here,” he said.
In response to the growing crisis, US-Bangla Airlines has announced two special flights on the Dhaka–Dubai–Dhaka route to assist stranded travellers. The services are being operated using a 436-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with priority given to passengers whose visas have already expired or are about to expire.
Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has temporarily suspended flights on six major Middle Eastern routes—Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait and Dammam—until further notice. However, flights to Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh and Muscat continue to operate as scheduled.
Aviation analysts warn that if the geopolitical tensions persist, further flight disruptions could follow. Until the situation stabilises, passengers are being urged to remain in close contact with airlines and avoid travelling to airports without confirmed flight updates.