Saudi airport crisis hits Umrah travel; UAE bookings fall, Bangladeshi passengers affected

Dubai: The closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and the suspension of flights have created uncertainty for Umrah pilgrims, with travel agents in the United Arab Emirates reporting fewer bookings and enquiries.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the closure of Riyadh airport until October 17, disrupting arrival and departure schedules. According to Reuters, several airlines from Europe, the Gulf and Asia, along with Indian carriers, have cancelled or suspended flights to Saudi Arabia.
UAE travel agents said the period from October to January is usually a busy season for Umrah travel, but the current crisis has forced pilgrims to wait before making new bookings. They said travellers fear cancellations during their journey or difficulties arranging return flights.
Bangladesh’s civil aviation authority said 82 direct and connecting flights from Dhaka were affected by October 13, disrupting travel for 13,071 passengers. The number of affected flights later rose to 86, affecting 13,490 passengers. Those affected included Bangladeshi migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 17, while IndiGo and Akasa Air have also suspended services on affected Saudi routes. Air France-KLM, Etihad Airways and the Lufthansa Group have cancelled or restricted flights to Riyadh and other Saudi cities for varying periods.
In Bangladesh, some Umrah pilgrims had to pay higher fares for alternative flights. One agency said 40 pilgrims had to be shifted to Salaam Air flights, increasing ticket prices from 30,000 taka to 60,000 taka.
Conditions are not the same across all Saudi airports. Travel agents said operations in Jeddah were largely continuing, while Dammam and Madinah could serve as alternative entry points for some travellers. However, reaching these airports may require additional road travel, increasing both time and cost.
Passengers are advised to confirm the latest status of their flights before departure, as airport closures and airline suspensions continue to change.