In the most recent series of assaults on Saudi airports, two Bangladeshi individuals lost their lives, leading Biman Bangladesh Airlines to halt its Dhaka-Riyadh route. This development heightens the security concerns for Bangladeshi travelers heading to Saudi Arabia for work and religious purposes.
The Saudi Arabian civil aviation authority reported that a total of 12 people, including two Bangladeshis, perished in an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10. Additionally, 309 individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
The identities of the two Bangladeshi victims remain unknown at this time. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam disclosed that four other Bangladeshi nationals are currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a Riyadh hospital following the attack.
This particular assault, the third targeting Riyadh airport in a week, caused significant damage to airport facilities, resulting in a temporary suspension of operations and the cancellation or diversion of flights.
In response to the situation, Biman announced the suspension of its Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka flights BG339 and BG340 until further notice due to the halt of inbound flights at Riyadh airport. The disruption has also affected other airlines operating between Dhaka and Riyadh, with several flights by Saudia and Riyadh Air canceled following the airport closure.
The security threat has not only affected Riyadh but has now expanded to eastern Saudi Arabia, with reports of a projectile landing near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. This development is of concern as Dammam serves as another destination for Bangladeshi travelers en route to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
On October 9, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its warning for Saudi Arabia, advising airlines to avoid additional sections of Saudi airspace post the Riyadh attacks. As a result, airlines operating between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia must enhance contingency plans to manage any unforeseen disruptions effectively.
