Flight operations on direct and transit routes between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have faced severe disruptions due to ongoing restrictions at Saudi Arabian airports, affecting a total of 153 flights and leaving 22,636 passengers stranded in precarious conditions.
The information was officially disclosed on Wednesday afternoon through a press release issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
According to CAAB data, the disrupted services include 76 direct flights. Among these are 33 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 10 by US-Bangla Airlines, 20 by Saudia, and 13 by Riyadh Air.
Additionally, 77 transit flights have been affected. This includes 30 flights by IndiGo, 14 by Emirates, 9 by Qatar Airways, 8 by flydubai, 8 by Air India, 7 by SalamAir, and 1 flight by EgyptAir.
In light of the recent missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, and prioritizing passenger safety, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has extended the suspension of all its flights from Dhaka to Dammam and Riyadh until November 4.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines stated that further decisions and revised schedules regarding the suspended flights will be communicated in due course. Passengers have been advised to contact their nearest Biman sales center for ticketing and travel-related information.
