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Published : 02 Mar 2026, 12:55 AM
At least 74 flights from Dhaka and another 20 from Chattogram to Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled as regional conflict escalates.
The cancellations at Shahjalal International Airport spanned Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, leaving thousands of migrant workers stranded.
While the government has offered temporary accommodation, many passengers remain camped out in terminal buildings, fearing they might miss sudden rescheduling updates.
Airlines have, however, resumed some flights to Saudi Arabian destinations.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines and several carriers have rescheduled their Jeddah and Madinah services.
The Iran-US-Israel conflict has severely disrupted air travel across the region and beyond, with multiple countries closing their airspace following retaliatory attacks.
Iran and Israel shut their skies earlier, while Kuwait airport was also hit.
According to Reuters, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar have closed their airspace.
Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi and Doha airports have suspended operations until further notice, affecting Dhaka-bound services.
Executive Director of Shahjalal airport SM Ragib Samad confirmed the cancellation of 74 flights.
Airport data show 23 flights were initially suspended and later cancelled on Saturday, including services by Emirates, Gulf Air, flydubai, Air Arabia, US-Bangla Airlines and Biman.
The highest number of cancellations—40 flights—occurred on Sunday, involving Jazeera Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, flydubai, Qatar Airways, SalamAir, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, US-Bangla and Biman.
As of Monday afternoon, 11 more flights were listed as cancelled, including four by Qatar Airways, five by Emirates and two by Gulf Air.
In Chattogram, Shah Amanat International Airport authorities reported 20 cancellations.
However, some limited movement was noted late Sunday as a SalamAir flight from Muscat was expected to land at 10:52pm on Sunday.
Despite advisories from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) for passengers to stay in touch with airlines from home, terminal floors are packed.
Jeddah-bound passenger Omar Faruq, who arrived on Saturday night, was seen resting his head on a trolley on Sunday afternoon after spending sleepless nights waiting for updates.
"I can't leave the airport because I'm terrified I won't get the news in time if the flight suddenly departs," he said.
The expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry has arranged accommodation for stranded workers, and officials were seen at the airport assisting passengers.
Yet the crowd inside the terminal has not thinned.
