Dhaka, Oct 11 (V7N)- Passengers travelling between Bangladesh and Riyadh are facing uncertainty after flight operations were disrupted following an attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has cancelled nine flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka route until further notice, according to a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) on Sunday.
The cancellations took effect at 9 pm on Saturday, but no definite timeline has been announced for rescheduling the flights. Authorities have also not confirmed whether aircraft will be diverted to an alternative airport instead of King Khalid International Airport.
The uncertainty has left many Riyadh-bound passengers frustrated. Some travellers who arrived at the airport late Saturday night reportedly returned home after learning about the cancellations.
Several passengers also complained that the airlines concerned had not provided clear instructions about the disrupted services.
Meanwhile, transit flights operated by Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways have also reportedly been cancelled, adding to travel disruptions for passengers heading to Saudi Arabia.
The disruption follows an attack attributed to Yemen's Houthi rebels on Riyadh's international airport. At least 12 people, including two Bangladeshis, were reportedly killed, while 309 others were injured, according to reports citing Saudi authorities.
The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said the fatalities included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt.
The cancellations have raised concerns among Bangladeshi travellers about when regular flight operations to Riyadh will resume. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest information on flight status and rescheduling arrangements.
END/SMA/AJ
