14 Dhaka flights cancelled after Gulf nations close airspace

Due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, four Middle Eastern countries — Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain — temporarily closed their airspace, causing major disruption for Bangladeshi migrant workers. At least 14 flights scheduled for these destinations were canceled, severely affecting passengers.
Airline officials said affected passengers have been accommodated in various hotels in Dhaka. Rescheduling efforts are underway, and flight operations are expected to resume shortly.
On Monday night (June 23), Iran launched missile attacks on U.S. military bases in several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar. In response, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain suspended all inbound and outbound flights to ensure the safety of their citizens, residents, and travelers.
Later that night, the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authority in Dhaka confirmed the suspension of all flights to those destinations. The decision directly impacted passengers traveling from Bangladesh to Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait City, and Manama.
Sources at Shahjalal Airport said several airlines — including Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Flydubai, Kuwait Airways, and Gulf Air — canceled their scheduled flights. Passengers were advised to contact their respective airlines for alternative arrangements. Some flights en route to the Middle East were forced to return to Dhaka.
However, the airspace of the four countries was reopened around midnight, and flight operations have since returned to normal.
Speaking to Jago News, Kamrul Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of US-Bangla Airlines, said three of their flights were scheduled to depart for Qatar and other Middle Eastern destinations that night. One of those flights had reached Ahmedabad but was forced to return to Dhaka. Passengers from these flights have been accommodated in hotels, and rescheduling is in progress.