Due to attacks involving the United States and Israel in Iran, airspace in the Middle East has effectively come to a standstill. For safety reasons, several countries have temporarily closed their airspace, which has also affected Bangladesh. Ongoing conflict has led to the cancellation of one after another flight from Dhaka to the Middle East. As of last Wednesday, a total of 176 flights had been canceled.
Despite the conflict, to bring Bangladeshis stranded in Dubai back home, the first flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 7:20 PM on Wednesday, March 4. The flight then left Dubai that night and arrived in Dhaka on Thursday morning, March 5. The flight carried a number of passengers.
Another flight will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:15 PM on Thursday, heading to Dubai. The same flight will leave Dubai at 10:00 PM local time, carrying the stranded Bangladeshis back to Dhaka. The passengers were stranded there due to security risks in Middle Eastern airspace and the closure of airspace by several countries.
Officials said that, given the ongoing situation, US-Bangla Airlines operated the flight as a special initiative to assist expatriates and stranded Bangladeshis. The effort to safely bring passengers home is being viewed as a humanitarian example by those involved.
In this crisis, US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun is being praised for his humanitarian role in quickly arranging a special flight to assist stranded Bangladeshis. Many see this initiative, taken in consideration of the hardship faced by expatriates, as a timely and compassionate decision. By standing beside expatriate Bangladeshis during this crisis, US-Bangla Airlines has set a shining example of humanitarian responsibility.
Officials have noted that, due to the conflict in the Middle East, many flights from Dhaka to the region have been canceled in recent days, causing difficulties for thousands of passengers and expatriate workers. Until the situation stabilizes, uncertainty regarding flights is expected to continue.
Due to these flight cancellations, passengers traveling to the Middle East have faced extreme difficulties. Many have been waiting at airports for extended periods. Questions about when travel will be possible, how to reschedule tickets, or get refunds have left them confused.
Bangladeshis in various Middle Eastern countries are facing the same situation. With airspace closed and most airlines suspending flights, they cannot return home. Officials have stated that, until the regional security situation improves, the likelihood of flights returning to normal is low. Consequently, many expatriates’ visas are expiring while they remain stranded. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare is collecting information and applications regarding these cases and has requested concerned countries to consider them. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have already responded positively.
State Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare Md. Nurul Haque Noor said that for workers whose visas have expired or are about to expire, embassies have requested the respective countries to consider their cases.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad stated that, due to the closure of Middle Eastern airspace, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan temporarily closed their skies. As a result, 176 flights from Dhaka have been canceled over the past five days.
Airport sources said that on Wednesday alone, 28 flights were canceled from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Among them were 4 flights by Qatar Airways, 5 by Emirates Airlines, 2 by Kuwait Airways, 2 by Jazeera Airways, 8 by Air Arabia, 3 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and 4 by US-Bangla Airlines.
Expatriate workers traveling to the Middle East have suffered the most due to flight cancellations. Many have been waiting at the airport for a long time after returning from leave. Uncertainty remains over issuing new tickets or obtaining refunds for canceled flights.
However, US-Bangla Airlines has taken a special initiative to help the stranded Bangladeshis. The airline is operating special flights on the Dhaka–Chittagong–Abu Dhabi–Dhaka route and also on the Dubai route. These flights use a 436-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Passengers whose visas have already expired or are about to expire will be given priority for travel.
Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has temporarily suspended flights on six Middle Eastern routes. Until further notice, flights to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, and Dammam will remain suspended. Flights to Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, and Muscat will continue as usual. Passengers on the suspended routes can either get a refund without any charge or change their travel date free of cost.
Comment :