Flying to KSA: Alternative tickets make some feel relieved, others anxious

Some expatriates have exhausted their leaves and must return to work, while others are running out of time on their visas. But the cancellation of scheduled flights has left many Bangladeshis traveling to Saudi Arabia in uncertainty.

They wait anxiously, unsure when they will be able to leave. Meanwhile, some have found relief after receiving tickets for alternative flights.
Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, flight operations at two Saudi Arabian airports were suspended following an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh last Saturday. The disruption has also affected flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia.
As of Monday afternoon, 51 direct and connecting flights from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport had been canceled, affecting 5,418 passengers.
In response, state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines is arranging alternative routes for passengers traveling to Riyadh, sending them to Saudi Arabia via Medina.
A visit to Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ headquarters at Balaka Bhaban on Monday afternoon found crowds of anxious passengers bound for Saudi Arabia.
Some had received tickets for alternative flights, while others were still waiting.
Rajib, a passenger who received an alternative ticket, told Agamir Somoy that failing to return to work on time could put his job at risk, with consequences for his family back home. He said he was now somewhat relieved to have the opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia via an alternative route.
“I was supposed to return to work on time after my leave. When the flight was canceled, I became worried. A delay could create problems for my job, and my family is also concerned. Now I have received an alternative ticket. I hope to reach Saudi Arabia soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, another passenger, Shawon Sheikh, was still waiting for an alternative ticket. The flight he had booked had also been canceled.
“I have been worried since the flight was canceled. Both my visa’s validity and the deadline for returning to work are important. I still don’t know when I will get a ticket or when I will be able to travel. Arranging alternative flights quickly would ease much of our anxiety,” Shawon said.
An employee at Biman’s ticket counter said passengers traveling to Riyadh and Dammam were being sent to Saudi Arabia via Medina. Priority was being given to passengers whose visas were nearing expiration and those who had booked flights to Riyadh.
The employee added that arrangements were also being made to reissue tickets for canceled flights without cancellation fees.
Limited flight operations at Saudi airports have disrupted the schedules of several airlines.
According to the latest information provided to Agamীর Samay by Kawsar Mahmud, public relations officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), 12 direct flights have been canceled.
These include four flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two by US-Bangla Airlines, three by Saudia and three by Riyadh Air.
Another 39 connecting flights have been canceled. Of these, 16 were operated by IndiGo, three by SalamAir, one by EgyptAir, nine by Emirates, five by Qatar Airways and five by flydubai.
In this situation, airlines have advised passengers to contact them before heading to the airport to check the latest flight status and revised schedules.
US-Bangla Cancels All Riyadh Flights Through October 21
Private carrier US-Bangla Airlines said in a press release that all flights on its Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka route had been canceled through October 21 because Riyadh airport was closed. The affected flights are BS 381 and BS 382.
US-Bangla has asked passengers traveling to Riyadh not to go to the airport for the time being. The airline said it would notify affected passengers once new flight schedules had been finalized.
Passengers have been advised to contact the airline’s sales centers or their travel agencies before visiting the airport for updates on flight status, rebooking and other information.
However, all US-Bangla flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia remain operational despite the cancellation of Riyadh-bound flights, said Mohammad Kamrul Islam, the airline’s general manager for public relations.