858 Flights Cancelled at Dhaka Airport in One Month Amid Middle East War
Between February 28 and March 30, 2026, a total of 858 flights to and from Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled. Despite these challenges, airport authorities and airlines managed to operate or schedule approximately 1,190 flights during the same period, primarily to regions where airspace remained more accessible.
Strategic Airspace Closures The disruption began on February 28, 2026, when several countries—including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan—partially or fully closed their airspace due to heightened security risks following the outbreak of the regional war. These closures forced airlines to either suspend services or adopt longer, more expensive flight paths, significantly impacting the "Middle East corridor," which accounts for a major portion of Dhaka's international traffic.
Impact on Passengers and Migrant Workers The cancellations have primarily affected Bangladeshi expatriate workers and transit passengers. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) officials, major regional carriers like Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Flydubai have been forced to scrap multiple daily slots.
Peak Disruptions: The highest number of daily cancellations was recorded in early March, peaking at 46 flights on March 2.
Current Status: As of March 30, at least 18 more flights were cancelled by noon, indicating that while some routes are recovering, the situation remains fluid.
Signs of Recovery While the "Hormuz Shock" continues to strain the aviation sector, there are signs of a phased recovery. Since mid-March, flight frequencies to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and parts of the UAE (such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi) have begun to increase as airlines adjust to new safety protocols and alternative flight corridors. CAAB officials noted that they are maintaining constant communication with international aviation bodies to normalize schedules as soon as regional security conditions permit.
