DHAKA – The ongoing security crisis in the Middle East continues to paralyze international air travel from Bangladesh. On Tuesday, an additional 32 flights were cancelled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), leaving thousands of migrant workers and travelers in a state of deep uncertainty.

Airspace Closures Trigger Mass Cancellations

Airport officials confirmed that several nations—including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan—have temporarily shuttered their airspace due to escalating regional conflicts. This has forced both international and local carriers to suspend operations from Dhaka.

Today’s major cancellations include:

• Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, & flydubai: 4 flights each.

• Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 3 flights.

• US-Bangla Airlines: 3 flights.

• Kuwait Airways: 2 flights.

Since the escalation began on February 28, a staggering 367 flights have been cancelled. The disruption hit a peak on March 2 with 46 cancellations, followed by 33 on March 9, reflecting the volatile nature of the regional security situation.

Expatriates Face Visa and Eid Travel Anxiety

The timing of the crisis is particularly devastating for the Bangladeshi diaspora. With Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, many expatriates are anxious about missing the holiday with their families. Furthermore, thousands of workers bound for Middle Eastern destinations are worried about visa expirations and job security due to the prolonged delays.

“I have been waiting for two days with no clear answer on when my flight will depart. My visa expires next week, and I am terrified of losing my job,” said one stranded passenger at HSIA.

A Glimmer of Hope: US-Bangla to Resume Key UAE Routes

In a move to ease the travel deadlock, US-Bangla Airlines has announced the resumption of flights to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi starting mid-April.

New Resumption Schedule:

Flight Timings:

• Sharjah: Flights depart Dhaka at 8:45 PM; return flights depart Sharjah at 1:30 AM (local time).

• Abu Dhabi: Flights depart Dhaka at 5:50 PM (Sat/Thu) and 3:55 PM (Mon via CTG). Return flights depart Abu Dhabi at 10:10 PM.

US-Bangla will utilize its Boeing 737-800 aircraft for these routes. The airline also confirmed it continues to operate daily flights to Dubai, along with services to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Muscat, with plans to resume the Doha route soon.

Advisory for Passengers

Airport authorities strongly urge all travelers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight status before traveling to the airport. Most airlines are offering rebooking options, though wait times for customer service remain high.