Restrictions at Saudi Arabian airports have disrupted 103 flights from Bangladesh to Riyadh and Dammam since Saturday, affecting 15,779 passengers, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
By 2:00pm local time on Thursday, 42 of the disrupted flights had been direct services, while the remaining 61 involved transit through other countries.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines recorded the highest number of disruptions among direct flights, with 17 cancellations, followed by US-Bangla Airlines with 10, Saudia with eight and Riyadh Air with seven.
Among airlines operating transit flights, India’s IndiGo recorded the highest number of disruptions, with 22 flights affected, followed by Emirates with 14, Qatar Airways with eight, SalamAir with seven, Flydubai with six, Air India with three and EgyptAir with one.
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The disruption followed reported missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and facilities near Dammam, prompting Saudi authorities to impose operational restrictions.
Saudi-bound Bangladeshi passengers affected by flight disruptions increased through Thursday, while congestion at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka eased as airlines notified travelers of cancellations and alternative arrangements in advance.
With direct flights to Riyadh suspended, Bangladeshi migrant workers have been scrambling to secure alternative routes to reach their workplaces before their visas expire, risking job losses and legal complications.
Passengers whose visas expire within the next five to seven days are particularly anxious, fearing that further delays could jeopardize their jobs and legal status, according to local media reports quoting stranded travelers.
Some are opting to fly to Medina and travel onward to Riyadh by bus to avoid overstaying, they added.
The affected workers have urged the government to provide financial assistance and arrange dedicated charter flights to ease their plight.
Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all scheduled flights from Dhaka to Riyadh and Dammam until Sunday (October 18), citing passenger safety concerns following attacks on Saudi airports.
The national flag carrier has advised passengers with urgent travel needs to use Jeddah and Medina as alternative entry points.
To accommodate passengers affected by the disruption, Biman has replaced its Boeing 787 with a higher-capacity Boeing 777 on the Medina route, adding 148 seats per flight. It has also operated three additional flights to Jeddah and urged affected passengers to contact its sales centers to have their tickets reissued.
