144 Saudi-Bound Flights Cancelled, Affecting 22,000 Passengers
Of the direct flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 28, US-Bangla Airlines 10, Saudia 19 and Riyadh Airways 10.
A total of 144 flights from Dhaka to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled, disrupting travel plans for 22,021 passengers.
According to sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), 67 direct flights and 77 transit flights were cancelled between 10 October and Saturday night (24 October). Of the direct flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 28, US-Bangla Airlines 10, Saudia 19 and Riyadh Airways 10.
Among the cancelled transit flights, 30 were operated by IndiGo, 14 by Emirates, nine by Qatar Airways, eight by flydubai, seven by SalamAir, eight by Air India and one by EgyptAir. The affected passengers were scheduled to reach Riyadh and Dammam through various transit hubs. However, the airlines were unable to carry them from Dhaka after onward flights to the Saudi cities were cancelled from their respective hubs.
Riyadh airport was recently closed following attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants, while Dammam also came under attack.
Amid the disruptions, Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam until 17 October, while US-Bangla Airlines cancelled its Riyadh-bound flights until 21 October.
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