Flight chaos at Ctg airport hits 50,000 passengers

The ongoing Middle East war, following the US-Israel strikes on Iran on 28 February, has disrupted Bangladesh’s international air connectivity, sparking an unprecedented flight crisis at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.

A month-long wave of flight cancellations has left expatriates, aspiring migrants, and their families in deep distress.

Airport and aviation sources say escalating security risks across multiple Middle Eastern airspaces have compelled airlines to suspend or reroute numerous international flights.

As a result, flights between Chattogram and major Middle Eastern destinations have been the hardest hit.

Recent data shows that 186 flights between Chattogram and the Middle East have been cancelled over the past 27 days since 28 February.

Sources estimate the disruptions have directly affected around 50,000 passengers, including expatriates, prospective migrants, and their family members.

Flights to and from major hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Muscat have faced the most severe disruptions.

Airport spokesperson Engr. Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil said the ongoing conflict has severely disrupted the operations of airlines, including SalamAir, Air Arabia, and US-Bangla Airlines, on routes linking Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi with Chattogram.

He added that the complete closure of Doha’s airfield has further deepened the crisis. 

Expatriate workers are among the hardest hit, with many unable to return to their jobs abroad on schedule, fuelling fears of potential job losses.

Despite pressure from employers to resume work, they remain stranded due to the scarcity of available flights.

Iqbal Hossain, a refrigerator and air-conditioning mechanic from Rangamati working in Abu Dhabi, returned to Bangladesh in December. His flight back on 25 March was cancelled, leaving him uncertain about returning to his job.

“When I came home four months ago, I never imagined a war would break out. If I can’t return soon, I’ll miss the peak business season. Even trying alternative routes would be far more expensive, and I still don’t know when I’ll be able to travel,” he told the Daily Sun.

Mishkatul Islam, another expatriate from Hathazari in Chattogram, said, “My return ticket has been rescheduled three times, and I still don’t know when I can leave. My company keeps calling, and I’m worried about losing my job.”

Meanwhile, aspiring migrant workers ready to travel abroad are also facing severe uncertainty.

Many, despite holding valid visas and tickets, cannot depart on time, risking visa expirations and significant financial losses. 

Recruiting agencies report major disruptions to their operations, as delays in sending workers on schedule are causing complications with overseas employers.

Zafar Hossain, manager of the Dubai-based Bangladeshi recruiting agency Ambient, said, “We are trying to arrange alternative flights for passengers, but higher costs are causing difficulties with clients in most cases.”

Airlines say they are prioritising passenger safety amid the evolving situation.

They acknowledge that flight schedules cannot be fully stabilised until airspace conditions improve, though efforts are underway to offer rescheduling and refund options.

Analysts warn that if the situation continues, it could hit Bangladesh’s overseas labour market and remittance inflows hard.

Since the Middle East remains a major destination for Bangladeshi workers, prolonged instability in the region could place further strain on the national economy, they added.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC’s Migration and Youth Programme, said, “Many workers have already invested between Tk300,000 and Tk400,000 to go abroad. The current situation prevents them from travelling, placing them at serious financial risk.”

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has previously stated that measures are being taken to support affected workers while maintaining communication with the relevant countries.

Mahendra Chakma, focal point officer at the District Employment and Manpower Office in Chattogram, said, “The ministry is assisting expatriates whose visas are expiring or who are facing other issues due to flight cancellations. A dedicated hotline has been launched to support them.”

“Many are reaching out to us directly, and we are connecting them with the relevant authorities,” he added.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said, “Our ministry, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority, is working to address the situation.”

“Our embassies are closely monitoring developments in the war-affected countries. The prime minister is also keeping a constant watch, and the government is providing full support,” he added.