8 flights suspended, 2,951 passengers affected

Following an attack at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, eight flights from Dhaka�"operated by four airlines, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines�"have been suspended, affecting approximately 2,951 passengers.

According to sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), two of the suspended flights are operated by Biman, one by US-Bangla Airlines, three by Saudia, and two by Riyadh Airways.

CAAB officials said the flights have not been cancelled permanently but suspended temporarily. The airlines will reschedule the flights once the situation returns to normal, the CAAB officials added.

The disruption has affected the passengers travelling between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, including Umrah pilgrims. The incident has also prompted concerns over the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi nationals caught up in the attack.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow and shock over the casualties and injuries, including those involving Bangladeshi nationals.

The minister spoke with Mohammad Ali Kashemi, the group leader responsible for the affected Umrah pilgrims, to inquire about the condition of the injured Bangladeshis. He stressed the importance of ensuring proper medical treatment, security, and necessary assistance.

He also arranged support last night to help provide safe accommodation for the pilgrims.

In a statement on Saturday, Kaikobad said Saudi Arabia holds a uniquely sacred place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide as the home of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah and the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Mosque in Madinah. Peace, security, and stability in the Kingdom are therefore of paramount importance to the global Muslim community, he said.