Saudi Flight Disruptions Affect More Than 21,900 Passengers from Bangladesh

More than 21,900 passengers travelling from Dhaka to Saudi Arabia have been affected by flight cancellations linked to security-related restrictions at Saudi airports, according to figures reported by Bangladeshi media on October 24.

A total of 141 direct and transit flights serving Riyadh and Dammam were cancelled between October 10 and Friday night, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said, according to a report by Jago News24. The affected passengers include people booked on flights operated by Bangladeshi, Saudi and other international airlines.

The disruption matters to Bangladesh because Saudi Arabia is a major destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, religious travellers and families visiting relatives. When flights are suspended, the consequences can extend beyond a missed departure to accommodation costs, changed travel plans and uncertainty over employment or other time-sensitive commitments.

Which flights have been affected?

Of the 141 cancelled flights, 66 were direct services and 75 were transit flights, according to the reported CAAB figures.

Direct services included flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Saudia and Riyadh Air. Transit itineraries involved airlines including IndiGo, Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai, SalamAir and Air India.

These figures cover different types of journeys. A passenger travelling directly to Saudi Arabia may face a different set of options from someone whose itinerary connects through another country. Travellers should therefore confirm the status of their specific flight and any connecting segments rather than assume that all routes or airlines are affected in the same way.

The disruption follows attacks on Saudi airports in October and subsequent operational restrictions. Reports have described security concerns around Riyadh and Dammam, while airlines have made decisions about whether to operate particular services.

The latest passenger and flight totals are a snapshot of a developing situation. They should not be read as a guarantee that the same restrictions will remain in place or that every flight to Saudi Arabia has been cancelled.