Dhaka Bangladesh. The devastating fire that broke out at the cargo complex of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has caused significant disruption, with business associations warning that the economic impact could exceed $1 billion on Bangladesh’s import-export trade.
The fire started around noon on Saturday, October 18, at the Sky Capital Airlines workshop, and quickly spread to nearby courier and dangerous goods warehouses. After seven hours of intense effort, 35 units of the Fire Service brought the blaze under control around 9 PM.
Disruption to Import–Export Operations
President of the Bangladesh International Air Express Association, Kabir Ahmed Khan, stated,
“It’s still difficult to estimate the exact losses, but the overall impact on imports and exports could be well over one billion dollars.”
Similarly, BKMEA Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan expressed concern, noting,
“Such fires don’t just destroy goods—they disrupt the entire production, supply, and export chain.”
Air Traffic Disruption
During the fire, airport operations were temporarily suspended. Several international flights were diverted to Chattogram, Sylhet, and Kolkata airports. Air traffic gradually resumed to normal after 9 PM.
Indirect Losses and Reputational Impact
Economists warn that beyond the direct damages, the indirect losses could be even more severe. The export sector, forward–backward linkage industries, and even the reputation of Bangladesh’s aviation sector may face lasting consequences.
Investigation and Next Steps
Several investigation committees have already been formed to determine the cause of the fire. Experts emphasize that without immediate improvements in infrastructure, safety protocols, and coordination, similar incidents could occur again in the future.
