Riyadh Airport Attack Halts Flights from Dhaka
Eight flights from Dhaka to Riyadh have been cancelled. This decision followed an attack on King Khalid International Airport. The airport is located in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Close to 3,000 Bangladeshi passengers are affected by these flight cancellations. Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced the changes in flight schedules on Sunday.
The Iran-backed Houthi armed group in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident took place on Saturday night, according to Bangladesh time. This marks the third attack on King Khalid International Airport within the past week. Following this latest incident, airport operations were immediately suspended. All flights scheduled to land at the airport were diverted to other cities.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines quickly suspended two of its flights. These flights were designated as BG339 and BG340. The national flag carrier shared this crucial information through separate press releases issued on Sunday. Biman Bangladesh Airlines also stated that it would provide further details. An update regarding two of its flights is expected by Monday noon.
Airport authorities have since extended the suspension of operations. King Khalid International Airport will now remain closed until Monday, 3:00 AM Bangladesh time. This extended period of closure was confirmed on Sunday afternoon.
By Sunday afternoon, a total of eight flights from Dhaka to Riyadh were confirmed cancelled. Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated two of these cancelled flights. US-Bangla Airlines had one flight affected by the closure. Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, cancelled three flights. Riyadh Air, another prominent Saudi carrier, also cancelled two flights.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) provided details on the passenger count. A significant total of 2,951 passengers had booked tickets on these cancelled flights. This number highlights the widespread impact of the airport’s closure.
Officials at King Khalid International Airport have issued important advice to travellers. They urged all passengers to contact their respective airlines. Passengers should do this before making their way to the airport. This ensures they can verify the latest status and schedule of their flights.
