Air Routes Disrupted by Middle East Instability, Migrant Labor Market Faces Severe Uncertainty

❐ Staff Reporter

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created a deadlock in the airspace, with the greatest burden falling on Bangladeshis living abroad. The series of flight cancellations has created unusual disruptions to international passenger transport operations centered around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which has already raised concerns about the labor market, expatriate income flows and the humanitarian situation.

According to airport sources, a total of 797 flights to and from the Middle East were canceled from February 28 to March 27. Thousands of passengers were unable to reach their destinations on time due to an average of more than 20 to 40 flights being canceled every day.

Last Friday, 22 new flight cancellations were announced, further complicating the situation.

The situation has arisen as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan have temporarily closed their airspace due to the conflict, forcing airlines to suspend or cancel almost all commercial flights on these routes.

The most recent flights canceled include four to Kuwait, six to Sharjah by Air Arabia, two to Bahrain by Gulf Air, four to Doha by Qatar Airways, two to Dubai by Emirates, and four to Kuwait by Jazeera Airways.

Low- and middle-income expatriate workers are being hit hardest by the impact of flight cancellations.

Mizanur Rahman of Barguna was facing cancellation when he tried to board a scheduled flight to return to his work in Saudi Arabia. He said he is at risk of losing his job if he fails to join work on time due to the limited validity of his visa.

Similarly, many workers working in various destinations have come under pressure from their employers for exceeding the stipulated time.

It was observed at the airport that many passengers who had come to bid farewell to their families were returning home after receiving last-minute flight cancellations. This is creating additional financial and emotional stress for these passengers who have come from far and wide.

Many are spending extra money by rescheduling tickets multiple times, while others are paying several times more for alternative routes.

Meanwhile, a portion of the passengers are being forced to stay in or around the airport area. Although limited food and temporary accommodation have been provided, most of the passengers are having to stay in residential hotels at their own expense. This has further increased the financial pressure on low-income workers.

According to analysts, if this situation continues, it could not only cause inconvenience to passengers but also have a negative impact on the country’s foreign labor market. Many workers may lose their jobs if they are unable to return to work on time, which will affect the flow of expatriate income.

In addition, the process of sending new workers may also be disrupted, which will put pressure on overall foreign income.

In the current situation, those concerned believe that there is a risk that the crisis will deepen unless alternative route management, rapid flight rescheduling, and coordinated assistance for affected passengers are ensured.