United News of Bangladesh

A total of 3,431 passengers have been affected by the cancellation of 10 flights following the suspension of flight operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh of Saudi Arabia after an attack on it. According to Hazrat Shahjalal Airport’s Flight Management section, Saudia Airlines and Riyadh Airways each have cancelled three flights each while Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines have cancelled two flights each toll Monday. Authorities are monitoring the situation and await further updates on the resumption of airport operations and arrangements for affected passengers. Biman Bangladesh Airlines apologised to passengers for the temporary inconvenience caused by the suspension and sought their cooperation. Flight disruptions persisted across Saudi Arabia on Monday, with 362 of 1,048 scheduled departures, or 34.54 per cent, cancelled or designated as no-fly following Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport, according to flight schedule data compiled by Cirium as of 5:30am UAE time, reports Khaleej Times . The figure was significantly lower than Sunday’s peak, when 623 of 1,096 scheduled departures, or 56.84 per cent, were cancelled or marked as no-fly. Cancellations accounted for 385 of 1,194 flights, or 32.24 per cent, on October 8 before dropping to 188 of 1,026 flights, or 18.32 per cent, on October 9. The number then climbed to 442 of 1,186 flights, or 37.27 per cent, on October 10, reaching its highest level on October 11. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Sunday that the kingdom had come under fresh attacks, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport targeted again, leaving people injured. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was also targeted. The latest developments followed a deadly strike on Riyadh airport a day earlier that killed 12 people and injured 309 others, including Saudi nationals and foreign workers. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the fresh attacks, drawing condemnation from several countries and prompting renewed calls to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. For safety reasons, UAE airlines and other carriers have extended the suspension of flights to Riyadh over the coming days.

A missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people, including two Bangladeshis, and injured more than 300 others, Saudi civil aviation authorities said Sunday, with several victims in critical condition. The Saudi-led coalition blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, calling the strike a “fully-fledged war crime” and vowing a firm response. The airport has no military facilities. The fatalities also included four Saudi citizens, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese national. The injured were receiving treatment at several hospitals. US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the rebels, adding that he would discuss the attack with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the death of an American citizen and condemned the attack, saying it showed disregard for civilian lives. Airport operations were suspended following the strike, with flights diverted elsewhere, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. Several countries, including the US, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada, advised their citizens to avoid the airport. The attack came amid escalating fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, raising concerns about regional security and disruptions to aviation and shipping.