Passengers Face Harrowing Delays at Airport

International air travel from Bangladesh has been severely disrupted as a result of escalating military tensions in the Middle East. Following alleged attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, several countries in the region have temporarily closed their airspace, creating widespread disruption for flights to and from the Gulf. The consequences have been felt sharply in Dhaka, where flights to multiple Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled, leaving passengers stranded for extended periods.

According to airport authorities, 176 flights have been cancelled from Dhaka over the past five days, affecting thousands of passengers. Many travellers have been forced to spend entire days at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, uncertain about when flights will resume, how tickets can be rescheduled, or how refunds will be processed. Similarly, Bangladeshis currently in the Middle East have also been stranded due to suspended air services, unable to return home.

Practical complications extend beyond mere inconvenience. Many stranded workers are approaching the expiry of their visas. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has been collecting information from affected citizens and liaising with foreign authorities. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly responded positively to requests for leniency regarding visa expiration.

Stranded Dubai-based passenger Majedul Islam told journalists, “I came here last month for business. My Emirates ticket was booked, but the flight was cancelled. Now I do not know when I can return.”

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Executive Director, Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad, confirmed that airspace closures in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan have forced airlines to cancel flights for safety reasons. “Passengers are advised to confirm the latest flight status with airlines before arriving at the airport,” he added.

Flight Cancellations Over Five Days

The cancellation has hit Middle East-bound expatriate workers the hardest. Many are unable to return to their jobs after holidays, and confusion persists regarding ticket reissuance or refunds. Observers report that unclear communication from travel agencies has aggravated passenger frustration, with conflicting information adding to the uncertainty.

To alleviate the crisis, US-Bangla Airlines has launched two special flights on the Dhaka–Dubai–Dhaka route using an Airbus A330-300 with 436 seats. The first flight departed Dhaka at 7:20 pm on Wednesday, returning from Dubai at 12:20 am local time. The second flight leaves today at 5:15 pm, returning from Dubai at 10:00 pm. Priority will be given to passengers whose visas have expired or are about to expire.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended flights to six Gulf destinations: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, and Dammam, while routes to Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, and Muscat remain operational. Passengers holding tickets for suspended routes can either obtain a full refund or reschedule without extra charges through any official airline or authorised travel agency.

Authorities have urged airlines to provide clear, timely updates to minimise passenger inconvenience, stressing that the airspace situation is unlikely to improve until regional security stabilises.

This disruption underscores the vulnerability of air travel to geopolitical crises and highlights the urgent need for coordinated solutions to protect stranded citizens.