Middle east airspace closure leaves thousands stranded at Dhaka Airport

Published : Sunday, 1 March, 2026 at 11:45 AM Count : 934

Thousands of passengers have been stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after airlines suspended all Bangladesh-bound and outbound flights to the Middle East amid escalating conflict between the United States and Israel in Iran.

Airlines operating routes between Bangladesh and several Middle Eastern destinations announced the suspension following the closure of large sections of regional airspace.

The airport authorities confirmed that the disruption has left a significant number of travelers waiting indefinitely at the capital's main international gateway.

Amid uncertainty over when normal operations will resume, many passengers have opted to leave the airport, while others scheduled to depart late at night have been advised by airline officials not to come to the airport until further notice.

The airport officials said more than 150 flights operate daily from here, the majority of which connect Bangladesh with various Middle Eastern countries. As airspace across parts of the region currently closed, a substantial portion of these services remains suspended.

Authorities have yet to provide a clear timeline for the resumption of flights.