International Flights Diverted to Kolkata Amidst Blaze in Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Cargo Terminal

Strategic Insights -

Four international flights, including two IndiGo and one Cathay Pacific, were diverted to Kolkata from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday due to a blaze in the cargo terminal. The flights, originally scheduled to land in Dhaka, were redirected to Kolkata, with the first flight, IndiGo 6E 1103, landing in Kolkata at 3.24 pm, just nine minutes after its scheduled arrival time in Dhaka. The diverted flights included a Cathay Pacific jumbo jet from Hong Kong, which made its first landing in Kolkata in five years, since the pre-Covid era. The diversion of flights has raised concerns about the resilience of the airport's infrastructure and the potential for future disruptions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Four international flights were diverted to Kolkata from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to a blaze in the cargo terminal.
  • The first flight, IndiGo 6E 1103, landed in Kolkata at 3.24 pm, nine minutes after its scheduled arrival time in Dhaka.
  • A Cathay Pacific jumbo jet from Hong Kong was diverted to Kolkata, landing in the city for the first time in five years, since the pre-Covid era.
  • Biman Bangladesh officials reported that the fire occurred near gate number 8 at the cargo site where imported goods are stored.
  • More long-haul flights from the US or Europe could get diverted to Kolkata unless the airport resumed operations.
  • FlyDubai flight FZ 8369 arrived in Kolkata at 5.30 pm, following the diversion of flights.

Statistics:

  • Four international flights were diverted to Kolkata from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
  • The first diverted flight, IndiGo 6E 1103, landed at 3.24 pm, just nine minutes after its scheduled arrival time in Dhaka.
  • A Cathay Pacific jumbo jet from Hong Kong was diverted to Kolkata, landing in the city for the first time in five years.
  • The blaze occurred near gate number 8 at the cargo site where imported goods are stored.
  • FlyDubai flight FZ 8369 arrived in Kolkata at 5.30 pm.

Sources:

  • "Four international flights diverted to Kolkata as Dhaka airport's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport cargo terminal fire forces closure" (Source: The Times of India, Kolkata, Saturday edition)