Ongoing conflict-related security risks in the Middle East have led several countries to temporarily close their airspace since February 28, causing significant disruption to international air travel from Bangladesh.
According to officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), a total of 18 flights were cancelled on Monday (March 30) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.
The cancellations are a direct consequence of restricted air routes over key Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan.
Since the airspace closures began, the cumulative number of cancelled flights has reached 858 as of March 30.
CAAB sources reported a steady pattern of cancellations over the past month. On February 28 alone, 23 flights were grounded, followed by 40 on March 1 and 46 on March 2. Daily cancellations continued throughout March, with figures fluctuating between 20 and 39 flights per day.
The most recent cancellations on March 30 included flights operated by several major Middle Eastern carriers: two flights to Kuwait, four by Air Arabia (Sharjah, UAE), two by Gulf Air (Bahrain), four by Qatar Airways (Qatar), two by Emirates Airlines (UAE), and four by Jazeera Airways (Kuwait).
Passengers are advised to stay in close contact with airlines for updates and make travel arrangements accordingly.
