Aviation security crisis in Saudi Arabia grounds flights to Bangladesh and India

Flight suspensions between Dhaka and Riyadh have left thousands of Bangladeshi workers and pilgrims stranded in mid-October 2026. The Traveler and The Daily Star reported that ongoing security disruptions at Saudi airports forced airlines to cancel flights and rapidly adjust their operational schedules. Public data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirms escalating security restrictions at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. [1][3]

The operational impact has grown significantly over several days. The Daily Star reported that flight disruptions affected 89 flights operating out of Dhaka, impacting 14,655 passengers. Meanwhile, New Age BD reported that national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines extended its flight suspensions on routes connecting Dhaka to both Riyadh and Dammam until October 18. [3][4]

The flight cancellations extend beyond Bangladesh to affect major regional travel routes. Gulf News reported that Indian airlines have also suspended additional services to Riyadh and Jeddah as Saudi flight cancellations were extended across the region. [2]

The regional instability comes against the backdrop of the long-running Houthi, Saudi conflict, an armed border and air dispute involving the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces from Yemen. Dhaka serves as the economic hub of Bangladesh, generating roughly 46 percent of the country's national gross domestic product and supplying a massive overseas workforce to the Gulf region. [7][8]