141 flights to Saudi Arabia cancelled; 21,933 passengers face hardship

Bangla Press Desk: A total of 141 flights from Dhaka to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled, affecting 21,933 passengers.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the cancelled flights—which occurred between October 10 and the night of Friday, October 23—consisted of 66 direct flights and 75 transit flights.

The direct flights included 27 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 10 by US-Bangla Airlines, 19 by Saudia, and 10 by Riyadh Air.

Meanwhile, the cancelled transit flights included 29 by IndiGo, 14 by Emirates, 9 by Qatar Airways, 8 by flydubai, 7 by SalamAir, 7 by Air India, and one by EgyptAir. These passengers were scheduled to travel to Riyadh and Dammam via transit points; however, the airlines did not transport them from Dhaka due to flight cancellations originating from their respective home countries.

Previously, Riyadh Airport was closed following recent attacks by the Houthis, and Dammam was also targeted. In light of these events, Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam until October 17, while US-Bangla Airlines cancelled its flights to Riyadh through October 21.

BP/SP