Online Desk 

A total of 61 flights from Dhaka to Riyadh have been cancelled due to the closure of Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia, leaving 9,269 passengers facing travel disruptions.

According to a report by Dhaka Post on Tuesday, October 13, the cancelled flights included 22 direct flights and 39 connecting flights between Saturday and early Tuesday morning.

Among the cancelled direct flights were nine operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two by US-Bangla Airlines, four by Saudia and seven by Riyadh Air.

Meanwhile, the cancelled connecting flights included 16 operated by IndiGo, nine by Emirates, five by Qatar Airways, five by flydubai, three by SalamAir and one by EgyptAir.

Passengers on these connecting flights were scheduled to travel to Riyadh via other countries. However, as the flights were cancelled at their respective points of origin, passengers waiting in Dhaka were also unable to travel.

Riyadh airport was closed on Sunday following Houthi attacks, the report said. The airport has reportedly come under attack at least five times over the past week.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Saudi-led military coalition have been engaged in a cycle of attacks and counterattacks for nearly two months. Amid the escalating situation, Riyadh airport has faced repeated attacks.

Source: Dhaka Post