Emirates and flydubai cancel Bangladesh flights amid deadly protests

Transit passengers will not be accepted for travel with Dhaka as a final destination at any port of origin

Emirates grounded five flights between Dubai and the capital of Bangladesh on Monday and Tuesday. AP

Emirates airline has cancelled more flights to Dhaka as a second wave of unrest sweeps through the city.

The company grounded five flights between Dubai and the capital of Bangladesh on Monday and Tuesday.

The country is in the middle of mass street protests over government job quotas that are said to favour the ruling party. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country after unrest on Sunday, in which about 100 people were killed.

Emirates said it will not accept transit passengers who have Dhaka as a final destination at any port of origin on Tuesday.

Flight numbers EK587, EK584, EK585, EK582 and EK583 to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on August 5 and August 6 will not operate.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers. Emirates is monitoring the situation closely,” said the Dubai airline.

Travellers who booked flights via travel agents are advised to contact them for alternative travel arrangements. Passengers who booked directly with Emirates can reach out to the airline for rebooking options.

Flydubai has also cancelled some services to Bangladesh, including Dhaka, and Chittagong in the country's southeast.

"Flydubai flights to Dhaka Airport and Chattogram Airport have been cancelled until August 7. We continue to monitor the situation closely," a representative for the airline told The National.

"We are in touch with our passengers regarding their rebooking or refund options."

Crowds gather around the Bangladesh Parliament House in Dhaka on August 5 following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. EPA

It is the second time Emirates airline has cancelled flights to Dhaka because of violent protests. In July, the company cancelled several services to Bangladesh citing unrest.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, does not operate any flights to Dhaka from Abu Dhabi.

Other airlines have also grounded services to Dhaka, including Air India. The airline took to X, formerly Twitter, to announce the cancellation of “the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect.” The post did not say how long the notice would be in effect.

IndiGo also cancelled all flights to Dhaka on Tuesday. “In view of the ongoing situation in #Dhaka, all flights scheduled for tomorrow have unfortunately been cancelled,” the Indian airline posted on X.