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Thursday | October 22, 2026 | Dhaka

20,254 passengers in limbo amid KSA airport disruptions

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:05 AM, 22 October 2026

Operational restrictions at Saudi Arabian airports have disrupted 134 direct and transit flights, affecting 20,254 passengers so far, according to the latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

The data, recorded in CAAB’s ASM Flight Management system on Wednesday, October 21, showed that 61 direct flights and 73 transit flights operated by 11 airlines had been affected.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines reported the highest number of disruptions among direct services, with 22 flights affected. Saudia Airlines recorded 19 disruptions, while US-Bangla Airlines and Riyadh Airways each reported 10.

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

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has extended the indefinite suspension of its Riyadh-bound flights, citing passenger safety following a series of attacks on Saudi airports in early October.

In a press release issued on October 17, the national flag carrier said it planned to resume flights to Dammam on October 21, subject to approval from the relevant airport authorities.

The airline also said it would decide when to resume Riyadh-bound services after receiving further instructions from Riyadh airport authorities.

The continuing restrictions have disrupted both direct and connecting air travel, leaving thousands of passengers affected by flight cancellations and operational uncertainty.