A massive fire at Dhaka’s main international airport has devastated the cargo terminal handling textile exports, with early estimates from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) suggesting losses may exceed $1 billion. The blaze destroyed the entire imports section, wiping out stored fabrics, accessories, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, according to BGMEA director Faisal Samade.
Roughly 200 to 250 garment exporters use air freight daily, making the incident a severe blow to Bangladesh’s textile industry—the world’s second largest, responsible for 80% of exports and 20% of GDP. Four people sustained minor injuries, while firefighters battled extensive damage through the weekend.
Authorities have launched an official investigation into the cause of the fire, which remains unknown. The National Board of Revenue has begun damage assessments, and the government has pledged a “swift and resolute response” if evidence of arson emerges.
Although flights resumed on Saturday evening, exporters warn that shipment delays and order cancellations could follow, particularly from U.S. and EU buyers, which together absorb most of Bangladesh’s $50 billion annual garment exports.
The incident comes amid a series of recent industrial fires in Dhaka and Chittagong, raising fresh questions about safety and infrastructure resilience in an economy critically reliant on textiles for foreign exchange and employment.
