A total of 134 direct and transit flights from Bangladesh have been affected by operational restrictions at airports in Saudi Arabia, impacting 20,254 passengers. Of the affected flights, 61 were direct flights and 73 were transit flights, said Squadron Leader Sakib of the Security and Flight Management Wing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Among direct flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines had 22 flights affected, followed by Saudia with 19, US‑Bangla Airlines with 10 and Riyadh Air with 10. Transit flights operated by IndiGo were the most affected, with 28 flights, followed by Emirates with 14, Qatar Airways with nine, Flydubai with eight, SalamAir with seven, Air India with six and EgyptAir with one. The restrictions are due to the prevailing situation in Saudi Arabia, which has caused operational challenges for airlines serving the region. The large number of impacted passengers highlights the significant disruption to travel plans and the economic impact on families and businesses reliant on these flights. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the underlying conditions in Saudi Arabia remain unchanged.
Why it matters
The disruption impacts more than 20,000 Bangladeshi travelers, underscoring the effect of regional security concerns on air connectivity.