A total of 126 flights bound for Saudi Arabia and connecting flights have been cancelled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, leaving 19,377 passengers facing travel disruptions, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, CAAB’s assistant director for public relations, confirmed the figures to Samakal at around 7:15 p.m. on Monday.

Among the cancelled flights, 19 belonged to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 10 to US-Bangla Airlines, 19 to Saudia and 10 to Riyadh Air.

Several connecting flights were also cancelled. These included 24 operated by IndiGo, seven by SalamAir, one by EgyptAir, 14 by Emirates, nine by Qatar Airways, six by flydubai and six by Air India.

Disruptions at Riyadh and Dammam Airports

According to sources familiar with the situation, flight operations at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Dammam airports have been disrupted for several days following attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi group.

The disruptions reportedly began after attacks started on October 10, leading to cancellations on routes connecting Bangladesh with Saudi Arabia.

Thousands of passengers travelling with different airlines have been affected, CAAB official Kawsar Mahmud said.

Bangladeshi Workers Face Travel Difficulties

Passengers said the cancellations have forced them to change their tickets and travel routes, particularly those heading to Riyadh and Dammam to join their workplaces.

Several passengers who arrived at the airport for direct flights to Medina also reported further cancellations on Monday.

However, CAAB was unable to confirm the exact number of flights cancelled by 7 p.m. that day, according to the report.

The disruptions have left many travellers facing uncertainty over their departure schedules, with passengers needing to coordinate with airlines to arrange alternative flights.