Prime minister (PM) Tarique Rahman personally inquired about the welfare of thousands of passengers stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka airport) following suspension of all flights to Middle Eastern destinations amid escalating war tensions in the region.

Authorities halted flight operations from Saturday afternoon after several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, closed their airspace. The sudden suspension left hundreds of travellers, including expatriate workers and passengers heading to Europe and America on connecting flights, in distress.

According to media reports, during a late-night visit to the airport, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury received a telephone call from Tarique Rahman, who sought updates on the situation and the well-being of affected Bangladeshis. The minister briefed him about the assistance measures being implemented.

BNP leader's intervention came as passengers expressed frustration over the lack of prior information about the suspension. Construction worker Mohammad Ali, bound for Dubai, told media that he had been waiting at the terminal since morning without any clarity on when flights would resume.

Following the telephone conversation, the minister assured passengers that both his ministry and Civil Aviation authority were working jointly to ensure their comfort. His ministry arranged accommodation for 50 passengers while Civil Aviation secured lodging facilities for another 800 people.

A group of 53 passengers, who arrived in Dhaka from Sylhet for a Muscat-bound flight, were transferred to hotels with sehri arrangements. Authorities arranged air-conditioned buses to return them to Sylhet Sunday morning.

Flight operations from Dhaka to Middle Eastern destinations remain uncertain until the situation improves, officials confirmed.