Security situation in Middle East has forced cancellation of 391 flights from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka airport) since February 28, affecting thousands of Bangladeshi passengers travelling to Gulf region.

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan closed their airspace on February 28 due to deteriorating security conditions. Closure has disrupted major air routes connecting Bangladesh with Middle Eastern destinations where over 40 lakh Bangladeshi expatriates reside.

Flight cancellations began with 23 on February 28, surging to 46 on March 2 before gradually stabilizing. Daily cancellations averaged between 28 and 40 flights throughout first two weeks of March.

Airlines affected include Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia operating from Sharjah, Gulf Air from Bahrain, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazirah Airways from Kuwait and flydubai. On 11th March alone, 24 flights were cancelled including four each from Air Arabia, Emirates, Jazirah Airways and flydubai, along with two from Kuwait Airways and Gulf Air.

Breakdown shows February 28 recorded 23 cancellations, followed by 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, 28 on March 8, 33 on March 9 and 32 on March 10.

Crisis particularly impacts Bangladeshi migrant workers and their families who depend on Gulf routes for employment and remittances. On Tuesday, Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan told media that the country received USD 152 crore 60 lakh in remittances during the first 9 days of March.

Airlines have not announced when normal operations will resume, leaving passengers uncertain about travel plans and forcing many to seek alternative routes through other regional hubs.