Riyadh:Dhaka Passengers stranded due to the closure of Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia will be redirected to their destinations via Dammam and Madinah, pending seat availability and at no extra cost, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced on Monday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the closure has led to the cancellation of 10 Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights, affecting 3,431 passengers. Minister Millat, speaking to reporters at the Secretariat before a meeting on international flight operations from Cox's Bazar Airport, emphasized that airlines have been tasked with minimizing inconvenience by organizing alternative flights and notifying passengers about cancellations ahead of time.
The minister noted the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of Riyadh airport, with international flight operations suspended for airlines worldwide. "This is not just a problem for our passengers; it is a global issue. Flights operated by airlines from around the world that land at Riyadh or use it as a transit point have been halted," he stated.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director Kaizer Sohail Ahmed elaborated that the airline is offering to reroute affected passengers through Dammam and Madinah, where it operates flights, without additional charges. "If passengers contact us, we will make the necessary arrangements, subject to seat availability," he said, highlighting Saudi Arabia as a key destination due to its significant Bangladeshi population.
Ahmed mentioned the difficulty in planning due to the lack of a clear timeline for the airport reopening. The closure's duration has been unpredictable, affecting operational planning. "We have not been given a clear timeline, such as whether the airport will remain closed for three or five days. At one point, we are told it will remain closed until 100 am, and then the deadline is extended to 700 am the following morning. It is difficult to plan international passenger transport under such circumstances," he explained.
Despite the uncertainty, Biman is striving to transport passengers through alternative routes, considering individual needs like work permits and family issues. Flights to Riyadh have been suspended for four days, and the situation remains uncertain. Passengers are being updated on flight schedules and cancellations through various channels, including television news tickers, Biman's website, its Facebook page, and call center. Additionally, assistance is being provided to those already at the airport to reduce inconvenience, with efforts continuing to aid passengers as much as possible.