A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Dhaka was forced to divert mid-air on Saturday, October 18, after a massive fire broke out at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, prompting the suspension of all flight operations.
The blaze reportedly began around 2:30 pm local time (12:30 pm UAE time), sending plumes of smoke billowing from the airport complex. According to Bangladeshi media, all incoming and outgoing flights were halted as emergency crews rushed to contain the fire.
In a statement to Khaleej Times, a Flydubai spokesperson confirmed that flight FZ 8369 from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Dhaka (DAC) was diverted to Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. “Due to the temporary closure of Dhaka International Airport, Flydubai flight FZ 8369 has diverted to Kolkata. Passengers have been provided with refreshments and will continue their journey to Dhaka later today. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,” the airline said.
Sharjah-based carrier Air Arabia also announced disruptions to its Dhaka operations. The airline rescheduled its flight, originally scheduled to depart at 2:55 pm UAE time, to 6 pm following the closure of the airport, according to information available on its website.
Authorities in Bangladesh said that all aircraft parked in hangars were being relocated to avoid potential damage. The airport, the country’s main international gateway, handles thousands of passengers daily and serves as a key regional hub for several airlines.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, with at least 36 firefighting units deployed to battle the flames. “Thirty-six firefighting units are already working to douse the fire,” said Talha Bin Zasim, an officer with the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, reports suggest that the blaze spread quickly through parts of the terminal, leading to the evacuation of airport staff and passengers. No immediate casualties have been reported.
The suspension of operations has affected both domestic and international flights, stranding hundreds of passengers at the airport and forcing several airlines to reroute or delay their services.
As of Saturday evening, firefighting teams were continuing their efforts to bring the situation under control. Airport authorities have said that flight operations will resume once the area is declared safe and essential systems are restored.
The disruption comes amid one of the busiest travel weekends in the region, affecting connections across South Asia and the Middle East.
