Staff Reporter :
In a bid to ensure more Bangladeshi workers can return to Saudi Arabia, Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, is likely to operate 50 to 60 flights this month from Dhaka.
Of the total flights, around 40 flights will be scheduled and the rest will be special flights.
Around 22,000 migrant workers will be able to return to Saudi Arabia in these flights, Saudia’s Country Manager for Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal Tarik A Alowaidi said while talking to the media at his office today.
At least 55,000 Bangladeshis workers remain stranded since March 16 due to suspension of regular flights following the global Covid-19 pandemic. They are now waiting to return to the nation.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines got permission to operate nine weekly non-scheduled flights to three cities in Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh government has said they it will allow Saudia to operate as many flights as it wants from Dhaka paving the way for migrant workers to return to their workplaces in the Gulf country. Saudia’s country manager said they are operating ten weekly flights on an average. And on a daily basis, they are trying to increase the number of special flights to cover larger number of passengers.
“We are hopeful of operating 50 to 60 flights including schedule and special in October. We are doing our best and I am sure you are aware of this. Our ticket office is open even on Fridays and Saturdays till late hours,” the country manager said.
“We are hopeful of carrying all passengers to Saudi Arabia if they can meet certain requirements including visas,” he added.
