Fire at Shahjalal airport’s cargo section, flight operations temporarily suspended

Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have been temporarily suspended following a massive fire at the airport’s Cargo Village area. For safety reasons, several inbound flights to Dhaka have been diverted to alternative routes, with some landing in Chattogram and Kolkata. Meanwhile, several outbound international flights are stranded on the taxiway awaiting clearance.

According to airport sources, Batik Air flight OD-163 bound for Kuala Lumpur and IndiGo flight 6E-1116 bound for Mumbai are currently waiting on the taxiway. The US-Bangla Airlines flight from Bangkok to Dhaka has landed in Chattogram. IndiGo’s flight from Delhi has landed in Kolkata, while Air Arabia’s flight from Sharjah to Dhaka has also diverted to Chattogram.

A Cathay Pacific aircraft from Hong Kong bound for Dhaka is circling in the air after being unable to land. Authorities said that further decisions regarding take-offs and landings will be made after assessing the fire situation and progress in bringing it under control.

In addition, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Saidpur to Dhaka has landed in Chattogram. Similarly, a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Chattogram to Dhaka returned to Chattogram shortly after take-off.

Airport authorities have said that passenger safety remains their highest priority. Normal flight operations will gradually resume once the fire at the Cargo Village is completely under control.

An airport official added that alternative measures are being implemented to prevent prolonged disruption to airport activities. “The fire is mainly confined to the Cargo Village area and has not affected the passenger terminal. However, flight operations have been temporarily suspended in the interest of safety,” he said.