100 flights on Dhaka-Saudi route cancelled or suspended; 15,000 passengers face hardship.

BanglaPress Desk: Flight operations between Dhaka and Saudi Arabia have been severely disrupted following the imposition of restrictions due to attacks on Saudi airports. Amidst this situation, a total of 100 flights—comprising both direct and transit services—have been cancelled or suspended as of Wednesday (October 14). These flights involved 15,393 passengers. The cancellations and suspensions have left passengers facing uncertainty and hardship; expatriate workers with visas nearing expiration are among the most severely affected.
According to data provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) on Wednesday, the 100 affected flights consist of 41 direct and 59 transit flights. The direct flights include 17 operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 10 by US-Bangla Airlines, seven by Saudia Airlines, and seven by Riyadh Airways.
Meanwhile, the affected transit flights include 22 by IndiGo, 14 by Emirates, seven by SalamAir, seven by Qatar Airways, six by flydubai, two by Air India, and one by EgyptAir. These disruptions have created uncertainty regarding the passengers' travel plans. Flights operate from Dhaka to Riyadh, Dammam, Medina, and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia via both direct routes and transit connections. However, operations at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport are currently completely suspended. Flight operations at Dammam's King Fahd International Airport are also disrupted, with numerous flights cancelled or suspended.
In light of this situation, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all flights on the Riyadh and Dammam routes until October 17. However, operations remain normal at Medina's Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Although flight operations at Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport faced some disruption earlier in the week, aircraft takeoffs and landings are currently proceeding as usual. In accordance with government directives, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other relevant carriers have taken steps to transport passengers to their destinations using alternative airports. Arrangements are being made to route passengers bound for Riyadh and Dammam through Medina and Jeddah airports. Passengers are also being offered the option to change their tickets free of charge; however, this facility is entirely subject to seat availability on alternative flights. Consequently, despite the option to change tickets, many passengers are unable to immediately secure a seat on a new flight.
An official from Biman Bangladesh Airlines stated that priority for free ticket changes is being given to passengers whose visas are nearing expiration. Efforts are being made to ensure Biman flights operate at full capacity to transport passengers to their destinations, a practice that occasionally leads to overbooking situations.
The official further noted that there have been instances where some passengers were turned back even after clearing immigration, though they are subsequently being sent to Saudi Arabia on later flights.
BP/TD