Passengers wait in airport for days as 34 more Mideast flights cancelled

Passengers at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka continued to endure travel disruptions as 34 more flights were cancelled today (5 March) amid the ongoing security crisis in the Middle East.

Airport authorities said the latest cancellations have further disrupted travel for passengers heading to Gulf destinations or returning to Bangladesh, with many waiting at the airport for days.

The flight disruptions began on 28 February after several Middle Eastern countries including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan temporarily closed their airspace due to escalating security concerns in the region.

The cancelled services included four flights operated by Qatar Airways, four by Kuwait Airways, four by Jazeera Airways, ten by Air Arabia, four by Emirates, two by US-Bangla Airlines, two by Gulf Air, and four by flydubai, bringing the total number of cancelled flights for the day to 34.

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all flights on six routes including Dammam, Doha, Muscat and several destinations in the United Arab Emirates until further notice.

Airport data show that disruptions have continued throughout the past week. A total of 23 flights were cancelled on 28 February, followed by 40 on 1 March, 46 on 2 March, 39 on 3 March and 28 on 4 March.

With today's cancellations, the total number of flights cancelled since the crisis began has reached 210, significantly affecting passenger movement between Bangladesh and the Middle East, where a large number of Bangladeshi expatriates work.

Passengers at the airport said they have been facing long waits, uncertainty over rescheduled flights and difficulties arranging accommodation and alternative travel plans.

Airlines and airport authorities have advised passengers travelling to Middle Eastern destinations to stay in close contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules.