Dhaka bans Indian airline from using Bangladeshi airspace, airports

DHAKA: In a major decision affecting aviation links in South Asia, SpiceJet has been barred from using Bangladeshi airspace and airports, effective February 19, 2026.

Reportedly, the ban comes after the airline failed to clear substantial unpaid fees, aviation authorities confirmed.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said the move follows years of outstanding payments by SpiceJet for navigation, landing, parking and other airport charges, reportedly amounting to roughly 420 million Indian rupees (more than $5 million), which remain unsettled. As a result, flights operated by the airline will be prohibited from entering Bangladesh’s airspace or landing at any airport in the country until the unpaid dues are fully cleared.

OPERATIONAL IMPACT AND FLIGHT REROUTES

The ban has immediate practical consequences: several India‑bound services, particularly routes from Kolkata to Guwahati and Imphal, are now being rerouted on longer paths that avoid Bangladeshi skies. These detours have increased flying times and fuel consumption, complicating scheduling and raising costs for the carrier.

Industry analysts say overflight rights: the permission for airlines to cross another country’s airspace, are key for efficient flight operations in the region. Losing access can add significant time and expense, especially on short‑haul sectors where Bangladesh sits directly along optimal flight corridors between eastern India and the Northeast.

AIRLINE AND MARKET REACTION

SpiceJet officials have acknowledged discussions with Bangladeshi authorities and termed the dispute a routine industry issue, stating efforts are underway to resolve navigation charge matters constructively. They also insisted that scheduled services within India remain unaffected despite the restriction.

However, the market has reacted: SpiceJet’s shares declined nearly 1 percent on the Mumbai stock exchange following news of the ban, reflecting investor concerns over financial and operational challenges.

BROADER CONTEXT

The dispute highlights deeper financial pressures on SpiceJet, which has reported recent quarterly losses and ongoing liquidity strains. Aviation experts warn that extended restrictions like airspace bans can exacerbate an already fragile outlook for smaller carriers operating in competitive markets.

For now, Dhaka maintains that restrictions will stay in place until all dues are paid, a move that underscores mounting scrutiny over international aviation obligations and could reshape regional air‑traffic patterns if unresolved.