Dense fog forces diversion of 8 flights from Dhaka

Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport experienced significant disruptions due to dense fog from Friday night through early Saturday morning, forcing eight international flights to divert to alternative airports.

Airport sources confirmed that the diverted flights included Thai Airways from Bangkok, Silkway West Airlines from Baku, three US-Bangla flights from Dubai, Jeddah, and Sharjah, Jazeera Airways from Kuwait, and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, all redirected to Kolkata.

Additionally, a Kuwait Airways flight landed in Bangkok, while US-Bangla’s Riyadh flight and Biman Bangladesh’s Dammam flight were diverted to Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport.

Executive Director Group Captain S M Ragib Samad said the diversions were necessary due to poor runway visibility. Normal flight operations will resume once weather conditions improve.

"Airlines are providing affected passengers with food and hotel accommodations as needed," he added.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department had warned of moderate to dense fog in various parts of the country until Saturday morning, potentially affecting road and inland waterway transport, reducing visibility, and intensifying the winter chill.