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100 Saudi-bound flights cancelled, 15,393 passengers in limbo
Riyadh airport was closed on Sunday (11 October) following attacks by the Houthis. Dammam was also targeted in the attacks
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 15 Oct 2026, 08:38 AM
Saudi Arabia-bound passengers remain stranded at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on October 12, 2026, after their flights were cancelled a day after a Houthi strike at Riyadh's international airport. Photo : AFP
A total of 100 flights from Dhaka to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled following Iran-backed Houthi militants, leaving 15,393 passengers facing travel uncertainty.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said that of the flights cancelled between Saturday (10 October) and Wednesday (14 October) evening, 41 were direct and 59 were transit flights.
Among the direct flights, 17 were operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 10 by US-Bangla Airlines, seven by Saudia and seven by Riyadh Air.
Among the transit flights, 22 were operated by IndiGo, 14 by Emirates, seven by Qatar Airways, six by flydubai, seven by SalamAir and one by EgyptAir.
The passengers were scheduled to travel to Riyadh and Dammam via different transit destinations. However, the airlines did not carry the passengers from Dhaka after their onward flights to the Saudi cities were cancelled.
Riyadh airport was closed on Sunday (11 October) following attacks by the Houthis. Dammam was also targeted in the attacks.
In response to the situation, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended its flights to Riyadh and Dammam until 17 October, while US-Bangla Airlines has cancelled its Riyadh flights until 21 October.