Dhaka Flights Cancelled: A total of 54 flights from Dhaka to various destinations in the Middle East were cancelled over two days, following the temporary closure of airspace by several countries in the region. This decision came after the recent US-Israel strikes in Iran, which heightened security concerns.
The cancellations began on February 28, 2026, and continued into the morning of March 1, 2026, impacting nearly 10,000 passengers. Countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were among those that closed their airspace, directly affecting flight schedules from Dhaka.
Group Captain SM Ragib Samad, the Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, confirmed that 27 flights were cancelled each day, causing significant disruption. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, along with the Civil Aviation Authority, provided accommodation for some passengers, while others returned home.
Despite the challenges, Biman Bangladesh Airlines managed to resume some of its flights on March 1, 2026. Flights to Medina and Jeddah, initially cancelled, were able to depart later in the day. However, flights to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi remain suspended.
US-Bangla Airlines reported that its services to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Muscat continued as scheduled. Passengers have been advised to arrive at the airport at least four hours before departure to accommodate potential delays.
The ongoing situation raises concerns about visa validity, accommodation, and financial losses for passengers bound for the Middle East. Authorities have assured that passengers of suspended flights will be prioritized on upcoming flights. Until the situation stabilizes, uncertainty in air travel is expected to persist.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 2nd, 2026
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