Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the state-owned flag carrier, has indefinitely suspended flights on four international routes amid growing security concerns in the Middle East. It has also decided to temporarily suspend flights on two more routes.
In a statement issued on Monday (March 9), Biman Bangladesh Airlines said that due to the regional situation, its flights on Doha, Sharjah, Kuwait and Dammam routes will remain suspended for the time being. In addition, flight operations on Dubai and Abu Dhabi routes have been suspended until at least March 10.
Officials at the organization say that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has raised concerns about airspace security. As a result, caution is being issued for the use of airspace in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan.
This situation has directly impacted flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Various international flights to the Middle East have been continuously canceled since February 28.
According to airport sources, at least 26 flights were canceled on Sunday (March 8) in a single day, bringing the total number of flight cancellations to nearly 300 in a few days.
Airport officials said that uncertainty in flight schedules may continue until the regional security situation normalizes. The airlines will take further decisions after monitoring the situation.