Dhaka – Authorities in Bangladesh have suspended all flights to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, after operations at the airport were shut down over reported missile attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels.
State-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines said in a statement that updated information on the next decision regarding these flights and the travel schedule will be provided in due course.
“Biman Bangladesh Airlines sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to respected passengers due to the suspension of flights,” a Biman notice said on Monday.
In this situation, the airline seeks the patience and cooperation of respected passengers, it added.
A total of 13 people, including two Bangladeshis, were killed in a Houthi missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday. Many others were also injured.
Following the incident, Saudi authorities announced the suspension of operations at the airport. The Houthis reportedly warned that they would continue to carry out attacks in Saudi Arabia and also warned all others not to use Saudi airspace.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia said various types of assistance are being provided to nearly 500 stranded Bangladeshi passengers who were traveling from Bangladesh to various domestic and international routes in Saudi Arabia via Riyadh, as well as those returning to Bangladesh from Riyadh.
Among them, the embassy said arrangements have been made to accommodate nearly 100 Bangladeshi passengers at the Marriott Hotel, Radisson Hotel, and Princess Noura University dormitories in Riyadh.
Private US-Bangla Airlines, which also operates flights to the Middle East, has also suspended its flights to Riyadh until October 17.
