39 US-Bangla crew members flown back from Dubai amid Middle East escalation

The flight touched down at Dhaka Airport at 2:36am, a statement says

After more than two days stranded in Dubai due to sudden airspace restrictions, 39 US-Bangla Airlines crew members have returned home to Dhaka.

The airline coordinated closely with Dubai and Dhaka officials to secure a safe corridor for the ferry flight.

In a media statement released on Tuesday night, the airline said flight BS-344 (Boeing 737) was forced to remain grounded in Dubai due to sudden airspace restrictions.

Authorities at US-Bangla’s Dubai station and Dhaka headquarters maintained constant communication with Dubai aviation officials to secure a "safe corridor" for their return, the statement said.

After receiving a short period of special permission, the airline conducted a non-passenger ferry flight to evacuate its stranded staff, it added.

According to the carrier, this was the only Bangladeshi flight to depart Dubai during that specific period of heightened regional tension.

Led by Captain Shams Zahan and First Officer Mohammad Shahadat Hussain, the ferry flight touched down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:36am, the statement said.

"The situation was entirely unexpected," said Kamrul Islam, general manager of US-Bangla Airlines.