Saudi flight cancellations hit over 13,000 migrant workers, Umrah pilgrims

Flight cancellations following attacks on Riyadh airport have disrupted travel for thousands of Saudi-bound migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims, leaving many facing uncertainty over jobs, visas and return journeys.

As of yesterday, 82 direct and transit flights from Dhaka had been affected, disrupting travel for 13,071 passengers, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab).

An update issued at 7:15pm showed that 32 direct and 50 transit flights had been affected. The figures include flights suspended by airlines through 17 October.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended flights from Dhaka to Dammam and Riyadh until 17 October, citing passenger safety concerns.

Passengers holding return tickets are also struggling to secure refunds or alternative flights, with fares on other airlines sometimes doubling. 

Umrah pilgrims are also among those facing travel disruptions. Akbar Ali, owner of an Umrah agency, told TBS that at least 200 pilgrims booked through his agencies had been affected by cancellations.

Forty pilgrims scheduled to return on 11 October via Riyadh Air had to be booked on SalamAir flights instead, doubling ticket prices from Tk30,000 to Tk60,000, he added.

Govt seeks visa extensions for stranded workers

The government is pursuing bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia to extend the visas of stranded Bangladeshi workers, State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque said on Monday.

He acknowledged that negotiations would be difficult amid the crisis but expressed hope for a solution that would allow workers whose visas are nearing expiry to return to their jobs.

The state minister said the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh was monitoring injured Bangladeshis, with the ambassador and senior officials visiting hospitals. He added that Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries were assisting with medical treatment and repatriation of the deceased.

The government was also supporting affected families. Under bilateral agreements, some companies provide compensation, while families of deceased workers registered with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training receive around Tk13.5 lakh in government assistance, he said.

Meanwhile, Caab has instructed airlines operating direct and transit flights to Saudi Arabia to promptly inform passengers of cancellations and delays and arrange rebooking, refunds and other assistance.

In a statement issued on 12 October, it also asked airlines to direct passengers needing visa extensions or immigration assistance to Saudi authorities, the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka and relevant agencies.

Bangladesh seeks repatriation of victims

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has sought Saudi Arabia’s assistance in expediting the repatriation of two nationals killed in the Riyadh attack.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the request during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Abdullah bin Zafer Abiyah in Dhaka yesterday, according to the foreign ministry.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury yesterday urged expatriates to stay alert, remain in safe locations and contact Bangladesh embassies in emergencies.

“We are regularly checking on expatriates following the attack. I have personally spoken to the father of one of the injured, and assured him of assistance,” he told journalists after inspecting a labour welfare complex in Narayanganj’s Bandar area.