51 flights from Dhaka to Saudi cancelled, 5,418 passengers in uncertainty

Flight movements from Dhaka to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah are being disrupted due to the impact of attacks and security-related restrictions on the airports of Saudi Arabia. A total of 51 direct and transit flights of various airlines have been announced as cancelled from last Saturday to October 15. Due to this, 5,418 passengers have fallen into travel uncertainty.

Squadron Leader Sakib, the official in charge of security and flight management of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, informed this information on Monday (October 12) afternoon.

According to the information of the airport authorities, among the cancelled flights there are 12 direct and 39 transit flights. Among the direct flights there are four of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two of US-Bangla Airlines, three of Saudia Airlines and three of Riyadh Air. The schedule of transporting passengers to Saudi Arabia and from there has been disrupted through these flights.

Impact has also fallen on multiple international airlines in the case of transit flights. Among these, 16 of IndiGo, three of SalamAir, one of EgyptAir, nine of Emirates, five of Qatar Airways and five of flydubai have been cancelled. Passengers who had planned to go to various destinations including Saudi Arabia on these flights have fallen into harassment.

A missile attack took place on Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on last Saturday (October 10). According to the information given by the Saudi authorities, at least 12 people were killed and 309 injured in that attack. There are also two Bangladeshi citizens among the deceased. The injured persons are being given treatment in various hospitals.

The next day on Sunday (October 11), another attack took place on the same airport of Riyadh. The Saudi authorities informed that one person was killed and 11 injured in the incident of a projectile striking the terminal of the airport. Besides, the civil aviation authority of the country has also confirmed the news of an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam of the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. After these incidents, concern increased over the security situation of the airports and restrictions were imposed on flight movements.

Uncertainty has been created over the change of travel schedules of the passengers, waiting at the airport and the arrangement of alternative transport due to the cancellation of flights. Especially the expatriate workers returning to the workplace in Saudi Arabia, Umrah passengers and transit passengers have fallen into more harassment. Advice is being given to the passengers to confirm the latest status of the flight by contacting the concerned airlines before travelling.

According to the information of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, impact has fallen on both direct and transit types of flights due to the security-related situation at the airports of Saudi Arabia. Changes may also come in the flight schedule with the change of the situation. As a result, it is urgent for the passengers to follow the latest notices of the airport and the concerned airlines before the journey.