24 flights were cancelled from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka airport) today as Middle East airspace closure continues disrupting operations for two weeks.

This was stated in a press release issued by Dhaka airport flight management,  through Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB)  public relations officer Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud.

Seven airlines grounded services to Gulf destinations after Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan shut their airspace on February 28 due to regional security crisis. Today's cancellations affected thousands of passengers bound for Middle East.

Kuwait Airways cancelled 4 flights, while Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines each scrapped 4 services. Flydubai and Jazeera Airways grounded 4 flights each. Air Arabia operating from Sharjah and Gulf Air from Bahrain cancelled 2 flights each.

Crisis has now forced cancellation of 447 flights over past fortnight. Daily cancellations peaked at 46 flights on March 2. First day saw 23 flights grounded, followed by 40 on March 1, 39 on March 3 and varying numbers through subsequent days.

Recent daily cancellations include 28 flights on both March 4 and March 7, 36 on March 5, 34 on March 6, 28 on March 8, 33 on March 9, 32 on March 10, 27 on March 11 and 28 on March 12.

Disruption particularly impacts Bangladeshi migrant workers and business travellers heavily dependent on Gulf routes. Major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways normally operate multiple daily flights connecting Dhaka to Middle East destinations.

Airlines have not announced timeline for resuming normal operations. Aviation authorities continue monitoring situation closely as airspace restrictions show no signs of lifting, leaving passengers stranded with uncertain travel plans.