“The Whole World Will Come To Us,” Yet Passenger and Flight Numbers at Dhaka Airport Have Alarmingly Declined

Staff Reporter

Dhaka, June 30, 2025: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Bangladesh’s primary international airport, managed significant passenger and flight operations in 2024 but has seen a substantial decline in both passenger and flight numbers in 2025. This situation has arisen due to visa restrictions imposed by various countries, a decrease in students traveling abroad for education, a reduction in migrant workers traveling on work visas, and the suspension of flights on specific routes.

Comparison of 2023 and 2024

In 2023, the airport handled a total of 11,681,150 passengers, of which 9,489,444 were international and 2,191,706 were domestic. These passengers traveled through a total of 107,764 flights, including 54,707 international and 53,057 domestic flights.

In 2024 (January to November), the airport managed 11,334,278 passengers, reaching 97% of the total passenger numbers for the entire year of 2023. Of these, 9,317,430 were international, and 2,016,848 were domestic passengers. The total number of flights was 92,205, with 51,420 international and 40,785 domestic flights, accounting for 86% of 2023’s flight numbers. For the full year, 2024 saw a total of 12.5 million passengers, a 7% increase compared to the previous year.

Stat in 2025

In 2025, a significant decline in both flight and passenger numbers has been observed. The airport currently operates an average of 140 flights per day, down from 190 daily flights in 2024. Passenger numbers have also dropped to 20,000 to 25,000 per day, compared to 30,000 to 35,000 daily passengers in the previous year. Despite the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity of 18.5 million, this decline is creating pressure on passenger services. In the first six months of 2025, passenger traffic stands at 9.1 million, which is half of the airport’s capacity.

Flight Suspensions on Specific Routes

According to recent data, several key international routes from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have been suspended in 2025:

Dhaka-Narita (Japan): Biman Bangladesh Airlines temporarily suspended flights on the Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka route starting July 1, 2025, due to aircraft shortages, prioritization of Hajj flights, and business realities.

Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain: These countries have temporarily closed their airspace, leading to the cancellation of all commercial flights from Dhaka to these destinations. (As per information available up to June 24, 2025)

Other Reasons for the Decline in Flights and Passengers

Visa Restrictions: Following political unrest in July 2024, several countries, including India, imposed visa restrictions on Bangladeshi citizens, creating barriers for travel to India, a major destination for Bangladeshi tourists. Additionally, the number of students traveling abroad for higher education and migrant workers traveling on work visas has significantly decreased.

Reduction in Work Visas: The number of migrant workers traveling abroad on work visas has declined in 2025. While over 1 million migrant workers traveled abroad in 2024, this number is expected to decrease in 2025. Despite assurances from the interim government, no new countries have yet opened work visa programs for Bangladeshi workers, which is considered a major reason for the decline in flights and passengers.

Economic Instability and Fuel Crisis: The devaluation of the Taka and the global rise in fuel prices have increased operational costs for airlines, leading to a reduction in flight frequency.

Infrastructure Limitations: Runway maintenance and the ongoing construction of a pedestrian underpass have limited flight operations. From July to October 2024, parts of the airport-Dakshinkhan road were closed, causing disruptions in flight operations.

Political Instability: Post-2024 political unrest has significantly reduced foreign investment and the arrival of foreigners in Bangladesh. The U.S. Embassy and EU countries have reduced visa issuance rates, while travel warnings issued for foreign nationals have discouraged business and tourism travel to Bangladesh, significantly impacting flight and passenger numbers.

Impact and Solutions

The decline in flights and passengers, along with the suspension of flights on specific routes, has led to disruptions in travel plans and fears of increased ticket prices. Local businesses and travelers have demanded swift solutions to this situation. Experts believe that airport modernization, effective measures to address the fuel crisis, and financial incentives for airlines could help resolve the issue. The third terminal, which became fully operational in early 2025, has doubled the airport’s capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually. This capacity must be utilized effectively by enhancing passenger service quality.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the heart of Bangladesh’s aviation sector, is facing a decline in flights and passengers in 2025 due to visa restrictions, flight suspensions on specific routes, and other challenges. Coordinated efforts by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and relevant authorities, along with infrastructure development, could play a crucial role in overcoming this situation. The demand for urgent measures to avoid negative impacts on the tourism and business sectors has grown stronger.