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that he needs to return at any cost so he does not lose his job amid the ongoing uncertainty arising from the tense situation in the Middle East.

His experience reflects the uncertainty that has gripped migrant workers and their families since Middle East air travel was disrupted following the US and Israel’s joint military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliation on February 28.

While some are rushing home, fearing the situation may worsen and flights may become harder to secure later, others -- despite fear and family pressure -- are trying to return to work as soon as possible to protect their income and keep their visas valid.

A total of 131 flights to and from HSIA were cancelled in four days, including today, following the attacks, airport authorities said.

Amid the evolving security situation, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan closed their airspace, disrupting air connectivity across the region, they added.

Amanullah, 40, travelled from Cumilla for a Biman flight to Dammam scheduled at 2:25pm yesterday. He arrived at the airport at 10:00am, only to be told later that the flight had been cancelled.

He said he had asked why the flight was cancelled, as everything seemed normal until 12:30pm. Airport staff told him that a drone attack had occurred at Dammam airport that morning, prompting the temporary suspension of flights to the destination.

He is now anxious as his visa remains valid for only four more days. “If I cannot go within four days, what will I do?” he said, adding that his family depends on his earnings.

“I am now trying to find an alternative route, including searching for urgent tickets to Jeddah or Riyadh. I can then travel back to Dammam by road.”

Salma Akhter, 30, from Shariatpur, said she left home early yesterday morning for a US-Bangla Airlines flight scheduled at 3:55pm to Abu Dhabi. She entered the airport around 11:00am and waited until 12:30pm, when she was told the flight was cancelled. “I have been working abroad for about 10 years. I was on a seven-month leave and now I am just trying to go back to work.”

Lipi Akhter, 30, was travelling with Salma. She had come home on an eight-month leave after spending two years abroad.

Both said they had contacted the airline on Sunday and were told they could travel yesterday. “We were aware of attacks and explosions being reported over the last two days, but were told the strikes were centred on US bases and not elsewhere,” Salma said.

Even so, Lipi said they remained tense, and family members were increasingly worried about whether they would be able to fly and whether further disruptions could follow.

“Our visas were arranged without cost, as the households we work for processed them. We fear that if travel becomes impossible, there will be no compensation, and the opportunity could be lost. I need to get back to work, even if that means taking a risk.”

While outbound travellers waited for clarity, inbound passengers described their own anxieties as they returned home, unsure when they would be able to leave again.

Zakir Hossain, who returned from Saudi Arabia yesterday on a six-month leave after six years, said he had spent the last two days worrying. “My family repeatedly told me not to travel to Bangladesh if I sensed serious trouble. I still chose to come because I wanted to spend Eid here and also in case the situation escalates and I can’t come later.”

After landing in Dhaka around 11:00am, he said he was happy to see his relatives, but remained worried about whether he would be able to return to work on time or whether work would still be available.

Hossain, 47, arrived from Jeddah on a Saudia flight on a five-month leave. He was to travel to his home in Netrokona. “I was tense the whole time as my family had been calling me since Sunday, asking me to stay alert while travelling.

“Many Bangladeshis were returning during Ramadan as planned, while others who might have waited until after Eid instead bought higher-priced tickets to come now because of the uncertainty.”

Till 11:50pm on February 28, 23 flights were cancelled, including one each of Emirates, Gulf Air and Flydubai, three of Air Arabia, six of US-Bangla Airlines and 11 of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, airport sources said.

On March 1 (Sunday), a further 40 flights were cancelled, including those of Jazeera Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Flydubai, Qatar Airways, SalamAir, Air Arabia (Sharjah), Kuwait Airways, US-Bangla Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Yesterday till 10:00pm, another 46 flights were cancelled, including those of Qatar Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia (Sharjah), Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines.

Around 10:00pm last night, airport authorities informed that another 22 flights have been cancelled today -- four of Qatar Airways, four of Emirates, four of Gulf Air, four of flydubai, two of Kuwait Airways and four of Jazeera Airways.

Meanwhile, 44 flights departed for different Middle East destinations till yesterday, according to airport officials.

They said flights to Muscat and multiple destinations in Saudi Arabia continued operating between February 28 and March 2 despite widespread disruptions.

On February 28 (from 2:00pm to 11:59pm), one Muscat-bound flight (BG122) and five Saudi-bound flights operated, including services to Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah. On March 1, four flights operated to Muscat, while 16 Saudi-bound flights ran to Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah, including services of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other carriers. On March 2, five Muscat-bound flights operated and 13 Saudi-bound flights ran to Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah, officials said.

Contacted by The Daily Star yesterday, Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC’s Migration Programme and Youth Platform, said around 30-40 flights are being cancelled daily. “Many people’s visa validity is nearing its end, so they are anxious about whether they will be able to travel and what will happen if their visas expire.

“I think the government should, in this context, work with the embassies of these countries in Dhaka and with our Bangladesh missions abroad to engage with their foreign ministries and take steps to extend visas where needed.”

He added that Bangladesh sends over 10 lakh workers abroad every year, and around 70-80 percent go to the Middle East.

“If overseas employment in the Middle East becomes limited or is halted, and our workers cannot find work after going there, it will cause long-term damage for us…. We need to observe the situation over the next few days and see which way it goes.”