Saudi airport restrictions: 21,927 passengers affected as 139 flights disrupted so far

Operational restrictions at Saudi Arabian airports have disrupted 139 direct and transit flights, affecting 21,927 passengers so far, according to the latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh’s (Caab) ASM Flight Management.

Of the affected flights, 66 were direct services, and 73 were transit flights.

Among direct flights, Saudia Airlines recorded the highest number of disruptions, with 19 flights affected. Biman Bangladesh Airlines had 27 flights affected, while US-Bangla Airlines and Riyadh Air each recorded 10.

Among transit flights, IndiGo recorded the highest number of disruptions, with 28 flights affected, followed by Emirates with 14, Qatar Airways with nine, SalamAir with seven, Air India with six, flydubai with eight and EgyptAir with one.

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended Dhaka-Dammam flights scheduled for 23-25 October following an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday night (21 October).

It has also suspended all Dhaka-Riyadh flights until 31 October, citing the ongoing airstrike situation and passenger safety.

Flights from Dhaka to Jeddah and Medina will continue to operate as scheduled, Biman said, advising passengers travelling to Dammam and Riyadh to use the two airports as alternatives, subject to seat availability.

The disruptions follow security-related restrictions at Saudi airports that have affected both direct services and connecting journeys through the country.