Biman Bangladesh Airlines has temporarily suspended all flights to Middle Eastern destinations amid rising security concerns in the region following Israeli attacks on Iran.
In a press release issued on Saturday afternoon, the airline said flights to Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait and other Middle Eastern destinations will remain suspended until further notice.
The airline has requested passengers booked on these routes not to proceed to the airport without directly contacting Biman for updated information.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh said in a separate statement that several Middle Eastern countries - including Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai and Qatar - have temporarily closed their airspace following the Israeli attack on Iran. The respective civil aviation authorities of those countries have taken the decision.
According to the statement, several scheduled commercial flights on affected Middle Eastern routes have been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.
In response to the situation, the authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have issued directives to the airlines concerned. Airlines have been instructed to inform passengers in advance about cancellations or delays via SMS, email and call centres.
Airline staffs also have been directed to remain present at the airport to provide necessary information and assistance to passengers. Clear and coordinated communication regarding rescheduled flights has been emphasized to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Airport authorities have advised passengers planning to travel on the affected routes to urgently contact their respective airline offices or travel agencies to verify the current status of their flights and take necessary steps.
Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored and sought the cooperation of all concerned to ensure passenger safety and operational normalcy until further notice.
