Bangladesh suspends flights to 4 Gulf countries after Iranian strike on US base
Flight operations from Dhaka to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have been suspended until further notice after those countries closed their airspace following Iran’s missile strike on US military bases in the region.
Fearing wider conflict in the Middle East, the four Gulf countries closed their skies on Monday night, bringing all civilian air traffic to a halt.
In line with the move, Shahjalal International Airport authorities confirmed that no flights will operate to these destinations until new instructions are issued.
A midnight statement from the airport authority read: “Due to the ongoing global situation, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain have temporarily closed their airspace. All inbound and outbound commercial flights to these hubs are cancelled until further notice.
“Travellers are asked to contact their airline offices immediately to reschedule and take necessary measures. Updates will follow.”
BIMAN FLIGHT TO DOHA DIVERTED MID-AIR
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight to Doha faced unexpected disruption after it was told mid-flight that Qatari airspace had been closed.
The flight, already en route to Doha, diverted to Muscat in Oman, where it landed for refuelling.
The airline said it would now return to Dhaka with all passengers onboard.
Civilian air traffic in the region has been affected for several days as tensions between Iran and Israel intensify.
Several countries, including Iran and Iraq, have either partially or completely shut their airspace, blocking key commercial routes across the Middle East.
As a result, many international airlines operating in the region, including Bangladesh’s flag carrier, have been forced to delay or cancel flights.
Biman spokesperson ABM Rowshan Kabir told bdnews24.com on Monday night: “The Doha-bound flight had already taken off when it was informed mid-route about the closure of Qatari airspace.
“The plane changed its route to Muscat, where it is now refuelling.”
Another Biman flight, scheduled to depart at 1:30am on Tuesday for Jeddah via Doha, will now operate directly to Jeddah, with passengers and cargo adjusted accordingly, the airline said.
