A significant number of flights, totaling 335, have been called off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka starting from February 28. This occurred following the closure of airspace by multiple Middle Eastern countries due to security issues in the region. Today alone, the airport authorities announced the cancellation of 33 flights.
The affected flights encompassed various airlines and destinations. Among them were two Kuwait Airways flights to Kuwait, six Air Arabia flights to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, two Gulf Air flights to Bahrain, four Qatar Airways flights to Qatar, four Emirates flights to the UAE, four Jazeera Airways flights to Kuwait, four Flydubai flights to the UAE, three Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights, and four US-Bangla Airlines flights.
The decision to close airspace by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan on February 28 led to disruptions in flight operations between Dhaka and several Middle Eastern locations. Following this, a sequence of flight cancellations occurred, with 23 on February 28, 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, 39 on March 3, 28 on March 4, 36 on March 5, 34 on March 6, 28 on March 7, and 28 on March 8, according to HSIA records.
Despite the challenges faced, a total of 243 flights to Middle Eastern destinations have managed to operate to and from Dhaka airport since February 28. The airport authorities have indicated that 40 flights are set to depart for Middle Eastern destinations today, including six to Muscat, 22 to Saudi Arabia, and 12 to the United Arab Emirates, comprising five to Dubai, one to Abu Dhabi, and six to Sharjah.