Middle East flight disruption strands Bangladeshi migrant workers

Migrant workers and other outbound passengers were left in uncertainty as flights to several Middle Eastern destinations remained suspended amid escalating regional tensions.

After two days of major disruption, airlines resumed limited operations yesterday, prompting anxious travellers to return to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka seeking updates on their departures. However, flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Doha were still suspended. Since Saturday, around 90 flights from Dhaka and Chattogram have been cancelled, according to airport officials.

The disruptions, triggered by a worsening security situation in the Middle East and the temporary closure of airspace in several countries, have left thousands of passengers in limbo. Many migrant workers fear missing their scheduled arrival dates could cause problems with employers, while others are concerned about returning to jobs in a conflict-hit region.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said that suspended Middle East-bound flights would be rescheduled and that steps were being taken to ensure passengers receive proper notice. Some scheduled rotations of Biman Bangladesh Airlines remain on hold, but limited operations resumed yesterday.

An inter-ministerial coordination team, including the foreign minister and the expatriates’ welfare minister, is overseeing arrangements to minimise passenger suffering. The minister said rescheduled flights had been finalised and previously suspended services were expected to operate by tomorrow, provided the situation does not worsen. He urged passengers to contact their travel agencies or airlines before heading to the airport.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said food and accommodation had been arranged for 850 passengers affected by cancellations.

Airport officials reported that by 10:00pm yesterday, at least 40 flights had departed Dhaka for various destinations, including some in the Middle East, while another 40 flights arrived.

Airlines update schedules

Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced that all Middle East-bound flights would operate on schedule yesterday except those to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The airline requested passengers to arrive at least four hours before departure. A Saudi Arabia-bound flight that was suspended early Saturday was rescheduled to depart for Riyadh this afternoon. Another Biman flight from Chattogram to Jeddah departed yesterday carrying 419 passengers.

US-Bangla Airlines said it operated scheduled flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Muscat but temporarily suspended services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Doha. The airline said it would inform passengers once operations to the UAE and Qatar resume.

Flight cancellations

On Saturday, several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan, closed their airspace over security concerns, leading to widespread cancellations. Multiple international carriers, including Emirates, Gulf Air, flydubai, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, SalamAir, Kuwait Airways, US-Bangla and Biman, cancelled dozens of flights across various routes.

With no confirmed timeline for full airspace reopening, at least 11 additional flights were cancelled yesterday afternoon.

Passengers left waiting

Many migrant workers expressed anxiety about their uncertain travel plans. Md Kawsar, 26, from Feni, said he was trying to return to Saudi Arabia after a month’s leave but was unsure what awaited him. Although his family was worried, his employer advised him to return if possible.

Mohon Bhuiya, 50, from Cumilla, said his early morning flight to Dubai on Saturday was cancelled after he had already arrived at the airport. Golam Noor from Brahmanbaria, whose visa for Jeddah expires in two days, said he had returned to the airport again yesterday, hoping to secure a flight. He said his employer was uncertain whether his visa could be extended, increasing his anxiety.

With tensions in the Middle East continuing, thousands of migrant workers remain uncertain about when they will be able to resume their journeys.