Middle East tensions disrupt flights at Chattogram airport

Several international flights to and from the Middle East were cancelled at Shah Amanat International Airport today (28 February) after widespread airspace closures across the region amid escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, airport authorities said.

According to a press release issued this evening, the disruption began before noon Bangladesh time when a majority of Middle Eastern airfields and Flight Information Regions (FIRs) were declared closed, forcing airlines to suspend scheduled operations linked to the region.

Among the cancelled outbound services were Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-147 on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Dubai route, which was scheduled to depart Chattogram at 6:35pm, and flight BG-151 on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Sharjah route, scheduled for 7:30pm. US-Bangla Airlines flight BS-333 from Dhaka to Doha via Chattogram, scheduled to leave at 5:25pm, was also cancelled.

Inbound operations were similarly affected. Air Arabia flight G9-520 from Sharjah to Chattogram, which was due to depart at 3:20pm local time, did not operate, while US-Bangla Airlines flight BS-344 from Dubai, scheduled to depart at 3:10pm local time, was also cancelled. In addition, SalamAir flight OV-403 from Muscat to Chattogram, scheduled for a 5:40 pm departure, was suspended.

However, airport authorities said Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-122 operating on the Muscat-Chattogram-Dhaka route successfully departed Muscat at 5pm local time and was heading to Chattogram.

Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, public relations officer of the airport, told The Business Standard that airlines were continuing efforts to maintain related domestic flight schedules despite the international disruptions.

"Passengers were advised to stay in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates as the situation develops," he added.