UAE-Bangladesh travel: Emirates, Flydubai and Air Arabia flights disrupted by Dhaka airport fire
Firefighting teams battle massive blaze as flights remain grounded
DUBAI – All flights in and out of Bangladesh’s capital were suspended on Saturday after a massive fire broke out at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Thirty-six firefighting units were deployed to contain the flames, said Talha Bin Zasim from the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
A massive fire breaks out at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, prompting a suspension of all flights.
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) October 18, 2025
Thirty-six firefighting units are working to douse the flames, Talha Bin Zasim, an officer at the Fire Service and… pic.twitter.com/wJhEQNIl3U
Dhaka airport official Masudul Hasan confirmed that while flight operations were halted, all aircraft remained safe.
UAE flight disruptions
The closure led to widespread disruptions across UAE-Bangladesh routes. Emirates cancelled its Dubai-Dhaka flight EK586, originally scheduled to depart at 10:30am, citing operational reasons. The airline said affected passengers are being rebooked and advised travellers to check updates on its website.
Flydubai’s flight FZ8369 from Dubai was diverted mid-air to Kolkata after the blaze, while several outbound flights from Dubai faced delays, including Flydubai FZ8370, Biman Bangladesh Airlines BG147, and Emirates EK587.
Sharjah-based Air Arabia also rescheduled multiple services. Flight G9510, initially set to depart at 2:55pm, was pushed to 8:00pm, and flight G9518, scheduled for 10:25pm, remained pending departure at the time of reporting.
Emergency efforts
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, supported by the Air Force and Border Guard Bangladesh, joined firefighting and rescue operations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with reports suggesting it began in the cargo village where imported goods were stored.
Authorities said efforts to restore normal airport operations are ongoing as firefighting teams continue to cool down the affected area.