134 flights affected by restrictions at Saudi airports; over 20,000 passengers hit

Dhaka: A total of 134 direct and transit flights have been affected by restricted operations at airports in Saudi Arabia, disrupting the travel plans of 20,254 passengers from the Dhaka airport, according to the latest available information from flight management authorities.

Of the affected flights, 61 were direct flights and 73 were transit flights, the information showed on October 21.

Among direct flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines had 22 flights affected, followed by Saudia Airlines with 19, US-Bangla Airlines with 10, and Riyadh Air with 10.

Transit flights operated by Indian carrier IndiGo were the most affected, with 28 flights disrupted. Emirates had 14 affected flights, Qatar Airways nine, Flydubai eight, SalamAir seven, Air India six, and EgyptAir one.

The restrictions have disrupted both direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia and connecting journeys through other regional hubs.

The flight management authorities are monitoring the situation as the restrictions affect airline operations and passenger movement.