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.

The authorities of Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport have suspended the operation of all flights from Friday night due to inclement weather caused by the cyclonic storm Mocha. Director of the airport, Group Captain Taslim Ahmed, said that as the meteorological department has advised the maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram to keep hoisted great danger signal 8, the authorities concerned decided to suspend operation of all flights from 6 am Saturday till 12 pm Sunday. Besides, the Chattogram port authorities issued Alert-4 instead of Alert-2 due to the inclement weather and all ships were taken to a safe place. The port authorities also suspended port operation from Friday night. Md Omar Faruk, Secretary of Chattogram port, said 16 ships, which were anchored at the jetty for unloading goods and containers, have been asked to leave the jetty by Saturday morning. Also read; Cyclone Mocha likely to cross Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar’s north coast by Sunday evening According to the latest weather bulletin, the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central Bay and adjoining area is likely to intensify further, move in a North-Northwesterly direction and cross Cox’s Bazar-North Myanmar coast by 6 pm on Sunday (May 14).  

Sylhet's MAG Osmani International Airport has been closed for flights operation for three days from Friday due to the deteriorating flood situation in the region. No flights will be operated at the airport for three days from today (Friday), said Hafiz Ahmed, manager of the airport. The notice was issued as the flood water reached close to the runway, he added. A further decision will be taken after observing the overall situation, the manager said.

China’s capital and a wide swath of the country's north were enveloped Monday in the worst sandstorm in a decade, forcing the cancelation of hundreds of flights.