126 flights disrupted, 19,377 affected

Restrictions on airport operations in Saudi Arabia have disrupted 126 direct and transit flights, affecting 19,377 Bangladeshi passengers, according to the latest available figures from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

The disruption has affected both direct services between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia and connecting flights operated by international airlines, exposing thousands of passengers to uncertainties over their departure schedules, onward connections and revised travel arrangements.

According to the CAAB sources, of the total 126 affected flights, 59 were direct services and 67 were transit flights. The figures highlight the scale of the disruption across airline networks serving travellers to and from Saudi Arabia.

Among direct services, Biman Bangladesh Airlines recorded the highest number of affected flights at 20, followed by Saudia Airlines with 19. US-Bangla Airlines and Riyadh Airways each reported 10 affected flights.

The impact extended beyond direct services. IndiGo Airlines accounted for 24 disrupted transit flights, followed by Emirates with 14, Qatar Airways with nine, SalamAir with seven, Flydubai and Air India with six each, and EgyptAir with one.

The disruption has uneven implications for migrant workers, expatriates and other travellers whose journeys depend on carefully coordinated flight schedules. Delays or changes to one service can complicate connecting journeys, while passengers may need to revise departure plans, confirm alternative routes or seek rebooking arrangements.

For migrant workers travelling for employment, changes to flight schedules may also create difficulties in coordinating arrival times with employers, recruitment agencies or onward transport. However, the extent of any employment-related delays or additional costs was not specified in the available figures.

In the meantime, passengers planning to travel are advised to verify their flight status directly with their airlines before leaving for the airport. They should also confirm any changes to departure times, connecting services, rebooking procedures and refund eligibility rather than relying on previously issued schedules.

The figures underline the vulnerability of international air travels to operational restrictions at major aviation hubs, where changes can affect not only direct passengers but also travellers connecting through multiple airlines and destinations.

Further details on the duration of the restrictions, the reasons behind them and the timeline for restoring normal operations were not included in the available information. The extent to which the disruption will continue therefore remains unclear.

Authorities and airlines are expected to continue monitoring the situation and updating passengers as further information becomes available.