51 Flights Disrupted as Saudi Airport Closures Affect 5,418 Passengers from Bangladesh

At least 51 flights operated by various airlines on direct and transit routes between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled or suspended following disruptions at Saudi airports, affecting 5,418 passengers scheduled to travel from Dhaka to different destinations in the kingdom.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) disclosed the information in a press release on Monday. The disruptions occurred between Saturday night, Bangladesh time, and Monday afternoon.

According to CAAB, 12 of the affected flights were operating directly between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, while the remaining 39 were transit flights operated by international airlines.

Among the direct flights, four were operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two by US-Bangla Airlines, three by Saudia and three by Riyadh Air.

The affected transit flights included 16 operated by IndiGo, three by SalamAir, one by EgyptAir, nine by Emirates, five by Qatar Airways and five by flydubai.

CAAB's latest information indicates that the impact of operational restrictions at Saudi airports has extended beyond direct services, disrupting connecting flights operated by several international carriers and leaving passengers uncertain about their travel plans.

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, all flights bound for Riyadh were either diverted or cancelled.

A Reuters report attributed the disruption to a major attack on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital on Saturday.

Reuters also reported that Riyadh airport authorities had suspended flights and advised passengers to contact their respective airlines before travelling to the airport. Travellers were also urged to verify the latest status of their flights.

Private carrier US-Bangla Airlines announced that all its flights on the Dhaka–Riyadh–Dhaka route had been cancelled until October 21 due to the closure of Riyadh airport.

The affected flights are BS381 and BS382, the airline said in a statement.

Passengers will be informed of revised schedules once new flight times have been finalised, it added.

US-Bangla has also urged passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia not to go to the airport until further notice.

Passengers seeking updates on flight status, rebooking and other travel-related information have been advised to contact the airline's sales centres or their travel agencies before heading to the airport.

The airline apologised to passengers for the temporary inconvenience caused by the disruption.

The latest developments have created uncertainty for travellers from Bangladesh, particularly migrant workers, expatriates and other passengers relying on direct and connecting flights to Saudi Arabia. Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates before beginning their journeys.