Biman suspends Riyadh flights until Nov 30 amid airport attacks
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has extended the suspension of its services to Riyadh until November 30, citing safety concerns following attacks on Saudi Arabian airports. This decision affects thousands of passengers as the airline adjusts its schedule in response to the ongoing conflict in the region.
What happened
The carrier announced in a media statement that flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka route will remain suspended until further notice, with the current extension lasting until November 30. This move follows attacks by Yemen's Houthi group on airports and facilities within the kingdom. The airline emphasized that the decision was made in consideration of passenger safety due to the situation caused by airstrikes.
While the Riyadh route is paused, flights on the Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka, Dhaka-Dammam-Dhaka, and Dhaka-Madinah-Dhaka routes will continue according to previously announced decisions and schedules. Biman had previously announced the cancellation or suspension of Riyadh flights on the night of November 3, noting at that time that the Dammam route would resume operations from November 7.
According to the Shahjalal International Airport Authority, a total of 186 flights from Dhaka to various cities in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled or suspended. These disruptions have impacted 23,161 passengers. The breakdown includes 109 direct flights and 77 transit flights. Among direct flights, 55 were operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 10 by US-Bangla Airlines, 21 by Saudia Airlines, and 23 by Riyadh Airways. Indigo Airlines accounted for the largest number of cancelled transit flights with 30. Other airlines affected include Emirates with 14 cancellations, Qatar Airways with nine, FlyDubai with eight, Air India with eight, Salam Air with seven, and EgyptAir with one.
What it means for travelers
Passengers with tickets for the affected routes are advised to contact the nearest Biman Bangladesh Airlines sales centre for updated information regarding their travel plans. The airline urges travelers to stay informed about changes to their schedules as the situation evolves.
Key details
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka flights until November 30
- Flights to Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah continue as per previous schedules
- A total of 186 flights from Dhaka to Saudi Arabian cities were cancelled or suspended
- 23,161 passengers have been affected by the flight disruptions
- Indigo Airlines had the highest number of cancelled transit flights at 30
- Attacks by Yemen's Houthi group targeted airports and facilities in Saudi Arabia
