World · Bangladesh Bureau
Over 20,000 passengers left stranded as Saudi-bound flights cancelled
A major disruption to air travel has left thousands of Bangladeshi passengers stranded after 135 flights bound for Saudi Arabia were cancelled. The mass cancellations have sparked concerns among travellers with confirmed bookings.
LSN Bangladesh ·
Approximately 20,000 passengers have been affected by the sudden cancellation of 135 flights departing from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia, disrupting travel plans for workers, pilgrims, and other travellers with confirmed reservations.
The scale of the disruption has raised alarm among affected passengers, many of whom had made arrangements based on their flight schedules. Airlines operating these routes have been inundated with inquiries from stranded travellers seeking clarification on rebooking options and compensation.
Authorities have not yet provided a detailed explanation for the simultaneous cancellations, though such large-scale disruptions typically stem from operational, administrative, or regulatory factors affecting multiple carriers or routes simultaneously.
Passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for updates on alternative flight arrangements and refund procedures. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing high-volume passenger traffic on popular international routes from Bangladesh.
Photo: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, May 2023. Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).