The Saudi flight disruption has affected more than 20,000 passengers travelling between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia since October 10, leaving migrant workers, pilgrims and other travellers stranded or uncertain about when they can fly. Operational restrictions at several Saudi airports, imposed after a series of attacks, have forced airlines to cancel or suspend scores of direct and transit services from Dhaka.
Scale of the Saudi Flight Disruption
According to the latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), reported on October 22, 135 flights have been cancelled or suspended, affecting 20,672 passengers. Of these, 62 were direct flights and 73 were transit flights, operated by 11 airlines. The figure has risen steadily. Earlier CAAB counts put the number at 134 flights and 20,254 passengers on October 21, and at just five flights and 2,532 passengers on October 11.
Among direct services, Biman Bangladesh Airlines recorded the highest number of cancellations with 23 flights, followed by Saudia with 19, and US-Bangla Airlines and Riyadh Air with 10 each. Transit routes were also hit hard. IndiGo accounted for 28 cancelled flights, Emirates for 14, Qatar Airways for nine, flydubai for eight, SalamAir for seven, Air India for six and EgyptAir for one.
What Triggered the Restrictions
Flights across Saudi Arabia were suspended after attacks on airports in several parts of the kingdom, including Riyadh and Dammam. Prothom Alo attributed the attacks to Yemen’s Houthi group. Reports also indicate that Saudi authorities have grounded commercial traffic and limited daily arrival slots as a safety measure.
A Notice to Airmen effective from October 17 requires airlines to obtain prior permission from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation before operating flights to or from the affected airports, The Daily Star reported. The Saudi-led coalition has said it intercepted drones over the Madinah region and the Eastern Province, while the Houthi movement has denied launching the drones or carrying out military operations against Saudi Arabia.
Impact on Bangladeshi Passengers
For many Bangladeshi passengers, the consequences are immediate. Dhaka Tribune reported that travellers journeyed long distances to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, only to learn their flights had been cancelled. Most had booked tickets through travel agencies in Saudi Arabia and were unsure how or when their travel would be rescheduled. Many fear losing their jobs if they cannot report to their workplaces on time.
The stakes are high because Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh’s largest labour market. UNB reported that the kingdom hosts more than 2.5 million Bangladeshi workers, whose remittances are a pillar of the national economy. Some of those stranded are blue-collar workers facing the expiry of work permits and return tickets. Expatriates inside Saudi Arabia have also been unable to return home.
Airlines Begin to Resume Services
There are early signs of easing. Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated a flight with 379 passengers from Dhaka to Dammam on Thursday morning, according to Prothom Alo. The airline has said its flights to Madinah have operated as usual since October 18 using Boeing 787 aircraft. The Daily Star reported that Biman plans to operate a Riyadh flight departing Dhaka at 1:25 am on October 26 as conditions improve, after earlier extending an indefinite suspension of Riyadh services for passenger safety. The carrier has said it will decide on additional Riyadh flights after reviewing the situation.
CAAB has also outlined a seven-point plan to protect affected passengers, according to The Traveler, though the details of how it will be enforced have not been widely reported.
Outlook for Travellers
An official quoted by Dhaka Tribune warned that cancellations would continue if the situation does not return to normal. Travellers are advised to confirm the status of their flights directly with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules are being revised at short notice. Whether the Saudi flight disruption eases further will depend on the security situation at Saudi airports and on how quickly authorities lift the permission requirements now governing operations.
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