Riyadh Airport shutdown disrupts 10 Dhaka flights, affects 3,431 passengers
Saudia and Riyadh Air
each canceled three flights, while Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla
Airlines scrapped two flights apiece, CAAB data showed.
The disruption comes amid
growing security concerns after attacks targeting Saudi aviation
infrastructure. A separate strike at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam
prompted additional cancellations and delays. Yemen’s Houthi group claimed
responsibility for attacks on the airports and Saudi oil facilities.
The Houthis also warned
airlines, airport personnel and travelers against using Saudi airports and
airspace, except those serving the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
The European Union
Aviation Safety Agency updated its Saudi airspace advisory on October 9,
warning of potential risks from missiles, drones, air defense activity and
falling debris. The guidance remains valid through November 16 unless revised
earlier.
Flight disruptions have
extended beyond Bangladesh. Indian carrier IndiGo canceled several Riyadh-bound
services from Delhi and Hyderabad, while Biman’s Dhaka-Dammam flight was
diverted to Doha before continuing to Dammam.
The cancellations have
created further uncertainty for Bangladesh-Saudi travel, particularly for
migrant workers and religious pilgrims. The number of Bangladeshi travelers
affected while connecting through India or Nepal remains unclear.
