38 flights cancelled at Dhaka airport amid Middle East airspace closure

A total of 38 flights were cancelled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday (March 3) due to temporary airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries.

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan suspended flights from the afternoon of February 28 citing security concerns amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The restrictions directly affected flight operations in Dhaka.

Assistant Director (Public Relations) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Muhammad Kausar Mahmud, confirmed the cancellations to Dhaka Post.

He said 23 flights were cancelled on February 28, 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 38 on March 3 — bringing the total to 147 over four days.

On Tuesday alone, the cancelled flights included services operated by Qatar Airways (4), Emirates (4), Gulf Air (4), Flydubai (4), Kuwait Airways (2), Jazeera Airways (4), Air Arabia (12), and US-Bangla Airlines (4).

Flights on other international routes have resumed, except for services to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai.

Meanwhile, at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, 35 international flights were cancelled, including seven on Tuesday morning.

Airport authorities have advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for updated schedules.